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PARTI Warisan said it was premature for Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki to say that Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor was not implicated in an ongoing corruption investigation linked to a mining scandal involving several state assembly members.
Warisan information chief Datuk Mohd Azis Jamman said while the party respects the role of MACC in probing corruption cases, it is inappropriate for its top officer to make premature conclusions on the guilt or innocence of individuals while investigations are still underway.
“The MACC’s job is to investigate, not to announce whether someone is guilty or otherwise,” said Azis in a statement on Friday.
“Regardless of the findings, it is the Attorney General’s Chambers that should assess the outcome of the probe and issue any official statements. Investigators should not overstep into the roles of prosecutors or judges.”
Azis’ remarks came in response to Azam’s recent statement expressing confidence that Hajiji Noor was not involved in the alleged corruption case tied to mineral mining in Sabah. The public declaration, he said, risks creating a perception that the MACC is acting beyond its mandate.
Citing past missteps, Azis referred to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) case as a cautionary example, recalling how initial denials of wrongdoing later unravelled under international scrutiny.
“Let this be a lesson. MACC must stick to its role as an investigative body and refrain from exceeding its authority,” he said, urging the agency to demonstrate transparency and consistency in its methods.
However, not all quarters shared Warisan’s concerns. Sabah UMNO chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin expressed confidence in the integrity of the MACC’s investigation and welcomed the commission’s ongoing efforts to find the underlying cause of the scandal.
“I fully trust the MACC to carry out its investigation fairly. I believe they will continue to call in those involved, including individuals featured in the viral video linked to the case,” Bung Moktar said.
“If there is evidence of corruption, action must be taken against those responsible.”
The contrasting responses underscore a growing divide among Sabah’s political players over how the high-profile investigation is being handled and communicated to the public.
The case, which has already attracted national attention, could have wider implications for political accountability and institutional credibility in Malaysia. – April 13, 2025