PAPAR: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah leaders have never publicly or officially commented on the numerous cases involving leaders of other parties whether in the opposition or within the Unity Government, said GRS Deputy Sec-Gen Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali.
“Many leaders both in the opposition and even within the Unity Government have been implicated in corruption and abuse of power cases.
“Some were tried and found not guilty, some were convicted, some cases were classified as DNAA (discharge not amounting to acquittal), and some have been tied up in court proceedings for years with frequent delays,” he said.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});On the “money trails” in these other cases, Armizan said some went into personal accounts, some into spouses’ accounts, some to proxy companies and some took the form of other benefits such as specific assets.
He said GRS chooses not to draw comparisons or making speculative statements, whether openly or officially, preferring instead to let the legal process decide.
“Even when pushed to the wall, we refrained from drawing comparisons, choosing instead to let the legal process proceed,” he said, underlining GRS’ respect for the principle of innocence until proven guilty.
Hence, he found it odd for Pakatan Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sabah leaders, as a coalition partner, to suddenly exclaim surprise at these unconfirmed allegations about a so-called Sabah mining scandal involving certain assemblymen.
“To the extent that they are ready for any eventuality,” said the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister.
He was responding to Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sabah State Leadership Council Chairman Datuk Mustapha Sakmud who said that the scandal, if true, could change the State’s political landscape and are on standby.
Armizan, who is Papar Member of Parliament, said the public should not jump to conclusions but leave the truth of the allegations to be determined by the legal process.
“It is better to have an open mind on the issue in the wake of all the speculations and one-sided reports.”
He said what was interesting in the Sabah case is that the individual who spoke openly in public and recorded video clips that he was bribing assemblymen, decided to plead not guilty when the charges were read in court.
“Pleading not guilty officially in court means this individual is telling the court he actually did not give any bribes.
“So, do not rush to making preliminary conclusions. Let us not be quick to label someone as corrupt but let the court process run its full course.
“Perception does not necessarily equal reality. We have a legal system and due process for a reason,” he said.
He said GRS has maintained its stand from the start to let the law take its course without interference, as was emphasised by Chairman-cum Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor.
“I am not asking to be fair to GRS. But do not choose to turn a blind eye and not see the reality in front of us.
Armizan was speaking after visiting a Rumah Mesra Sabah Maju Jaya recipient, Zuraidin Hais and his family at Kg Kelanahan Rimba, Tuesday.
“We believe in and respect the rule of law, whether it involves investigations by the authorities or the justice system through the courts, which upholds that a person is innocent until proven guilty.”