MACC must come clean — no cherry-picking in Sabah mining scandal - Rahimah

Borneo Post

8 hours ago

Rahimah
KOTA KINABALU (June 15): The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) must demonstrate transparency and full accountability in its investigation to pursue all individuals implicated in the Sabah mining scandal without fear or favour, said Sabah Bersatu Women chief Rahimah Majid.
Her remarks follow a recent news report quoting MACC Chief Commissioner Azam Baki, who confirmed that at least two individuals are expected to be charged soon in connection with the alleged bribery linked to a controversial mining project approval in Sabah.
However, the whistleblower who first exposed the scandal has since warned that at least eight more individuals were involved — beyond those currently being investigated.
Rahimah said the revelations, allegedly implicating a group of senior Sabah politicians, not only highlight the depth of corruption but also expose the urgent need for accountability from enforcement bodies entrusted with upholding the law.
'As a practising lawyer committed to justice — and as a citizen who values democratic integrity — I am deeply concerned by what appears to be selective prosecution in the MACC's handling of this case,' she said.
She added that the whistleblower's claim of additional names being involved, while only one or two have been charged, should serve as a wake-up call to all Malaysians who believe in equal justice under the law.
'If there are more names involved, then MACC has a duty to investigate every single one of them — regardless of status, position, or political affiliation.
'The people deserve the full truth — not a watered-down version of it. Justice must never be cherry-picked,' she stressed.
Rahimah warned that any attempt to sweep matters under the rug would not go unnoticed.
'Sabahans are watching. Malaysians are watching. We will not accept selective justice. The time for silence and inaction is over,' she said.
She also praised Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) students for the courage to hold Azam Baki accountable over his remarks, saying young Malaysians must be empowered to question authority when transparency is at stake.
Rahimah emphasised that the MACC's narrow focus, despite clear indications of a broader conspiracy, threatens the public's faith in equal justice.
'The law must apply equally, whether the suspects are high-ranking officials, politicians, or well-connected business figures. Why have the other names not been investigated, especially when the whistleblower has already furnished details?' she asked.
She warned that such selective investigations would only further erode public trust in the MACC and Malaysia's broader anti-corruption efforts.
'The MACC claims to be independent, but public perception increasingly suggests otherwise. There are growing fears it may be operating under political pressure — shielding certain individuals from scrutiny due to their affiliations,' she said.
To restore credibility, Rahimah urged the MACC to take immediate steps to ensure transparency, including: 1. Publicly disclosing the status of investigations into all names provided by the whistleblower; and
2. Ensuring external oversight — through a Parliamentary Select Committee on Corruption or the establishment of an Independent Anti-Corruption Ombudsman.