Kota Kinabalu: The opposition should be grateful to caretaker chief minister Hajiji Noor for safeguarding Sabah’s natural resources and preventing “greedy” outsiders from exploiting it, a Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah leader said.
Referring to the mining scandal that rocked the state, Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan said even the likes of Warisan and Umno should have supported Hajiji’s quick action in diffusing the mining scandal by revoking prospecting licences issued to some 20 companies linked to a controversial businessman.
“Unfortunately, Hajiji’s decision to revoke the licence was disregarded by the opposition, who appeared intent on toppling the state government rather than safeguarding the rakyat’s interests.
“They (the opposition) are not sincere, failing to back the chief minister’s efforts to protect the state from those who wanted to seize control of Sabah’s resources via illegal means,” the PGRS information chief told FMT.
In a recent podcast, the businessman admitted that Hajiji had revoked the mining licences as “too many” had been issued.
He also acknowledged that the licence he obtained was for exploration purposes only, and not for mineral extraction.
Nizam recounted that Hajiji had received threats before the release of videos which implicated several assemblymen in the scandal.
He said a powerful “cartel”, which had the backing of a former senior civil servant, had threatened to topple Hajiji if he did not approve the licences.
“But Hajiji stood firm and cancelled the licences.” Nizam said Hajiji’s response to the threats reflected a clear commitment to prioritise the people’s interests over his own political survival.
“It proves that Hajiji is not power hungry, and that he cares about the welfare of Sabahans,” he said.
Nizam said the manner in which the businessman went about applying for prospecting licences raised many questions, including as to whether “shortcuts” were taken to secure the requisite approvals, including through falsification of documents.
According to Nizam, the businessman is alleged to have applied for the licences to mine close to one million acres in total, using 20 companies.
Nizam said it was a covert bid to gain control over Sabah’s natural resources.
“If an individual uses 20 companies to apply for more than 20 prospecting licenses to mine minerals, people will ask questions,” Nizam said.
Nizam, who serves as an assistant minister, said the findings of an internal audit revealed that the businessman was linked to the falsification of documents and abuse of power in Sabah Mineral Management Sdn Bhd (SMM), a state government agency.
He said the findings prompted SMM to not renew the contract of a top SMM official amid suspicions that he had assisted the businessman in the licence applications.
“This was what happened. The scandal was the businessman’s doing, not the state government.”Nizam added that, based on videos leaked by the businessman implicating several assemblymen, it was evident that there was no abuse of authority by Hajiji or the state government.
Nizam said the businessman was desperately trying to “cover-up” his actions. He even tried to position himself as a whistleblower in the affair.
Nizam said the businessman was not the whistleblower he claimed to be, but rather the mastermind behind the mining scandal.
He said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission had rejected thebusinessman’s bid to be recognised as a whistleblower on account of the fact that he participated in certain wrongdoings.
