Kuala Lumpur: Six Sabah assemblymen were not charged with corruption in the issuance of mineral prospecting licences because the claims against them were based on hearsay, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.
Speaking during Prime Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat, Anwar said this is why the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has only charged two assemblymen - Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy (Tanjung Batu) and Datuk Dr Yusof @ Josree Yacob (Sindumin).
“Eight assemblymen were linked to the video, but according to the MACC, a case must be strong enough before it can be prosecuted,” he said.
“They said only cases that are substantive in facts and law will be referred to the prosecution. If it is not substantive and relies only on a video, it cannot proceed,” he added.
Anwar said from his own experience, recordings and videos alone are not sufficient without supporting facts and legal grounds. According to the MACC, those who are charged have sufficient basis and evidence, while the claims against the others are hearsay based on voices in the video.
Anwar was responding to a question from Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee (PN-Beluran).
On June 30, the two assemblymen pleaded not guilty to corruption charges related to mineral prospecting licences in the State. Authorities began their probe after a series of edited videos were published by news portal Malaysiakini in November last year.
Meanwhile, Anwar reaffirmed the Government’s firm stance on national security, stressing that there will be no compromise, particularly in cases involving intelligence leaks. He also assured that a comprehensive investigation will be conducted into the alleged leaks.
Anwar said MACC has been granted full authority to investigate several high-profile cases, including alleged abuse of power within the intelligence agency accused of selling state secrets for personal gain.
“If there are groups, akin to cartels, profiting by selling confidential information, this is a grave matter for the nation. Let a preliminary investigation be carried out. I have already briefed the Royal Malaysian Air Force chief and the relevant parties, including the Intelligence Division director.
“I am awaiting the initial report, but we will not cover up anything. If we begin compromising on breaches within our intelligence apparatus, it would be disastrous for the country,” Anwar said in reply to Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (PN-Pasir Mas) who wanted to know the Government’s next course of action following recent national security incidents, including leaked defence operations and a case involving the son of former Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli.
On Aug 14, MACC remanded 10 individuals, including five senior officers of the Malaysian Armed Forces and two news portal journalists, believed to be involved in a smuggling syndicate operating in the southern region of the country.
Anwar stressed that the Madani Government should not be blamed for the emergence of such cases, as it has adopted a strict zero-tolerance approach toward corruption, especially within entrusted government machinery.
He said preliminary investigations had identified the case as far back as 2020, but it only came to light this year after MACC was granted full access to investigate. He also warned against politicising the matter.
“I want to stress - don’t point fingers at us, because this started long before our time, and no action was taken back then.
“There were cases where certain people managed to amass billions...that’s why we are reviewing and investigating it. If there is a case, there will be prosecution. When it comes to major scandals like this, please do not try to defend them. These are not minor issues,” he said.
The Prime Minister also assured that no one will be protected if found guilty of misconduct, including those involved in the case linked to Rafizi’s son, Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir, or high-profile corruption cases in Sabah.
Speaking during Prime Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat, Anwar said this is why the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has only charged two assemblymen - Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy (Tanjung Batu) and Datuk Dr Yusof @ Josree Yacob (Sindumin).
“Eight assemblymen were linked to the video, but according to the MACC, a case must be strong enough before it can be prosecuted,” he said.
“They said only cases that are substantive in facts and law will be referred to the prosecution. If it is not substantive and relies only on a video, it cannot proceed,” he added.
Anwar said from his own experience, recordings and videos alone are not sufficient without supporting facts and legal grounds. According to the MACC, those who are charged have sufficient basis and evidence, while the claims against the others are hearsay based on voices in the video.
Anwar was responding to a question from Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee (PN-Beluran).
On June 30, the two assemblymen pleaded not guilty to corruption charges related to mineral prospecting licences in the State. Authorities began their probe after a series of edited videos were published by news portal Malaysiakini in November last year.
Meanwhile, Anwar reaffirmed the Government’s firm stance on national security, stressing that there will be no compromise, particularly in cases involving intelligence leaks. He also assured that a comprehensive investigation will be conducted into the alleged leaks.
Anwar said MACC has been granted full authority to investigate several high-profile cases, including alleged abuse of power within the intelligence agency accused of selling state secrets for personal gain.
“If there are groups, akin to cartels, profiting by selling confidential information, this is a grave matter for the nation. Let a preliminary investigation be carried out. I have already briefed the Royal Malaysian Air Force chief and the relevant parties, including the Intelligence Division director.
“I am awaiting the initial report, but we will not cover up anything. If we begin compromising on breaches within our intelligence apparatus, it would be disastrous for the country,” Anwar said in reply to Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (PN-Pasir Mas) who wanted to know the Government’s next course of action following recent national security incidents, including leaked defence operations and a case involving the son of former Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli.
On Aug 14, MACC remanded 10 individuals, including five senior officers of the Malaysian Armed Forces and two news portal journalists, believed to be involved in a smuggling syndicate operating in the southern region of the country.
Anwar stressed that the Madani Government should not be blamed for the emergence of such cases, as it has adopted a strict zero-tolerance approach toward corruption, especially within entrusted government machinery.
He said preliminary investigations had identified the case as far back as 2020, but it only came to light this year after MACC was granted full access to investigate. He also warned against politicising the matter.
“I want to stress - don’t point fingers at us, because this started long before our time, and no action was taken back then.
“There were cases where certain people managed to amass billions...that’s why we are reviewing and investigating it. If there is a case, there will be prosecution. When it comes to major scandals like this, please do not try to defend them. These are not minor issues,” he said.
The Prime Minister also assured that no one will be protected if found guilty of misconduct, including those involved in the case linked to Rafizi’s son, Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir, or high-profile corruption cases in Sabah.
