Latest news with #mininglicences
Malay Mail
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
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.
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Two Sabah reps, businessman to face graft charges tomorrow over mining licence scandal
KOTA KINABALU, June 29 — Two state assemblymen and a businessman arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) under Ops Adun, are reportedly scheduled to be charged tomorrow. New Straits Times wrote that the Sabah MACC said the trio are expected to be charged at the Special Corruption Court here at about 9am. They will face a total of four charges under the MACC Act 2009. Two of the charges will be brought under Section 16(b)(A) of the Act for offering bribes, while the other two will be under Section 16(a)(A) for accepting bribes. So far, 15 politicians have been implicated in corrupt activities between 2023 and 2024, in exchange for assistance in processing mineral exploration licence applications. Earlier this month, MACC said it would charge two Sabah assemblymen and a civilian in court this month over a corruption scandal involving the mining licences. MACC chief Tan Sri Azam Baki told reporters that the individuals were in the process of being arrested and notified about their court dates.
Free Malaysia Today
18-06-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
MACC nabs Sabah assemblyman, businessman over alleged mining scandal
According to the MACC, the suspects are believed to have solicited and received a RM200,000 bribe to facilitate the application of mining licences. PETALING JAYA : The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested a businessman and a Sabah assemblyman in connection with the mining scandal in the state. According to an MACC source, the suspects, both of whom carry the 'Datuk' title, were arrested separately at the anti-graft agency's office in Sabah and its headquarters in Putrajaya this morning. The duo, in their 30s and 60s, are believed to have solicited and received a RM200,000 bribe to facilitate the application of mining licences. 'They are believed to have committed the offence between 2023 and 2024. 'Preliminary investigations also discovered that the two suspects would often solicit and accept bribes to manage the application for mining licences,' the source said. MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki confirmed the arrests. He said the authorities were investigating the case under Section 16(b)(A) of the MACC Act involving the giving and accepting of bribes. Azam said the businessman was released on a RM100,000 bond with two sureties after providing his statement. He said the assemblyman was also released on a RM50,000 bond with one surety after he had his statement taken. Earlier today, Azam confirmed that two assemblymen are among three individuals set to be charged in connection with the mining scandal. He said they would be charged this month, with the Sabah corruption court expected to fix a date soon. The alleged scandal was reported in 2024 after a series of videos linking several Sabah assemblymen to it were leaked. The videos allegedly depicted discussions involving bribery and misconduct related to mineral exploration projects in the state. In February, Azam said the initial batch of videos lacked credibility as they had been heavily edited.
