Sabah reps charged with bribery for mining licences say will prove innocence in court, focus remains on serving voters
KOTA KINABALU, June 30 — Faced with corruption charges in connection with mining licences, elected Sabah representatives Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob and Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy today, affirmed their focus to serve their constituents even as they commit to prove their innocence in court.
Dr Yusof, who is Sindumin assemblyman, described the charges as a public humiliation due to the media coverage, but is confident that he can clear his name through the judicial process.
'We have been humiliated a lot in the media and through this process we will clear our name through the court. We are confident in the justice system and the court process in this country.
'A person is innocent until proven guilty so we do not want this to bother us and we focus on our duties as representatives of the people to serve the area and also other duties,' he told reporters outside the Kota Kinabalu courthouse today after posting bail.
Andi, who is Tanjung Batu assemblyman and assistant minister of industrial development and entrepreneurship, similarly said he is innocent of the charges and will fight them in the trial.
'I want to say again, I am not guilty and will follow all procedures in this court that uphold the rule of law in our country and I am confident that the legal process will run transparently,' he said.
Both men earlier claimed trial to charges of receiving bribes totalling RM350,000 from businessman Datuk Albert Tei in exchange for helping secure approval for a mineral prospecting licence.
Dr Yusof was charged with receiving RM200,000 in cash in March 2023, while Andi was accused of receiving RM150,000 in May 2023.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
43 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
Armizan: Domestic Trade Ministry outlines three-pronged strategy as expanded SST enforcement begins tomorrow
KOTA KINABALU, June 30 — The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) will use three approaches to ensure the smooth running of Op Kesan 4.0, in conjunction with the implementation of the Sales Tax review and expanded scope of the Service Tax tomorrow. Its minister, Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said it includes implementing the data collection of prices and service charge by ministry price monitoring officers. 'The data will from the basis of comparing prices and service charges before and after the Sales and Service Tax (SST) rate review,' he said at a media conference after an engagement session with a Sabah small and micro traders here today. He said the standard operating procedure for managing complaints on charges, prices and supplies was a good approach in ensuring the operation achieved its objectives, adding that the ministry would take stern action against traders who raised prices indiscriminately, including fines of up to RM100,000 or three years' jail or both for individuals and fines of RM500,000 for companies. On Op Kesan 4.0, he said that it was under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 and its focus was to ensure traders do not take advantage by raising prices of items and services unreasonably, and in violation of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011. The enforcement scope includes goods and services involved in the SST rate review, including monitoring of goods not involved in the review, such as basic necessities, he added. — Bernama
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
PM Anwar's Italy visit focuses on strengthening bilateral ties
KUALA LUMPUR: A bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his Italian counterpart is among the highlights of his upcoming first trip to the European nation. "Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will undertake a working visit to the Republic of Italy from July 1 to 3, 2025. This visit, at the invitation of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, marks the Prime Minister's first visit to Italy. "On July 3, the Prime Minister is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the Chigi Palace. "The meeting will provide an opportunity for both leaders to take stock of the current state of Malaysia-Italy relations and explore avenues to further strengthen cooperation, particularly in the fields of economy, defence technology, and energy. "The two leaders will also exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual concern, including the Asean-Italy Development Partnership, Asean-European Union Dialogue Relations, and the situation in the Middle East," Wisma Putra said in a statement on Monday (June 30). It added that the Prime Minister will highlight Malaysia's priorities and Asean's efforts in addressing regional and global challenges. "The Prime Minister will also officiate the Malaysia-Italy Economic Partnership Roundtable on July 2, 2025, which will bring together Malaysian and Italian industry leaders to explore trade and investment collaboration. "He is also scheduled to meet leaders of the local Muslim community and engage with members of the Malaysian diaspora in Italy. Malaysia and Italy enjoy longstanding and multifaceted relations, underpinned by strong economic ties, growing trade and investment, and people-to-people exchanges," it said. The entourage to Italy will also include Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, and Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin. Earlier on Monday, the Prime Minister's Office said that the Prime Minister will embark on a week-long tour from July 1 to 7 covering three major economic hubs, namely Italy, France, and Brazil, to bolster economic, trade, and strategic ties.
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
Armizan: Domestic Trade Ministry outlines three-pronged strategy as expanded SST enforcement begins on July 1
KOTA KINABALU, June 30 — The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) will use three approaches to ensure the smooth running of Op Kesan 4.0, in conjunction with the implementation of the Sales Tax review and expanded scope of the Service Tax tomorrow. Its minister, Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said it includes implementing the data collection of prices and service charge by ministry price monitoring officers. 'The data will from the basis of comparing prices and service charges before and after the Sales and Service Tax (SST) rate review,' he said at a media conference after an engagement session with a Sabah small and micro traders here today. He said the standard operating procedure for managing complaints on charges, prices and supplies was a good approach in ensuring the operation achieved its objectives, adding that the ministry would take stern action against traders who raised prices indiscriminately, including fines of up to RM100,000 or three years' jail or both for individuals and fines of RM500,000 for companies. On Op Kesan 4.0, he said that it was under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 and its focus was to ensure traders do not take advantage by raising prices of items and services unreasonably, and in violation of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011. The enforcement scope includes goods and services involved in the SST rate review, including monitoring of goods not involved in the review, such as basic necessities, he added. — Bernama
