SABAH Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun denied allegations in a whistleblower video, claiming he accepted RM300,000 through his special officer, saying the recording had been edited.
“I do not recall the conversation because the recording has been edited. I recall that the individual offered to contribute to the party, to which I responded there was no need to do so,” Masidi said in a statement.
“I do not know anything about the RM300,000 allegedly handed over through my special officer,” he added, assuring full cooperation with authorities in any investigation.
Masidi said he was unaware of the motive behind the video but believed it was intended to tarnish reputations.
“But what is obvious is that whoever is behind it is all out to malign people and engage in character assassination,” he said.
The whistleblower video, published by a news portal, is part of a larger scandal involving allegations of bribery and abuse of power by several Sabah state assemblymen.
Released in November 2024, the series of videos purportedly show discussions about bribes, with amounts ranging from hundreds of thousands to RM4 million, in exchange for political support on state projects.
Among those implicated is Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who has been accused by former Sabah Mineral Management (SMM) Sdn Bhd CEO Jontih Enggihon of abusing his authority in issuing prospecting and mining licenses.
In response, the Sabah government lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) accusing Enggihon of misconduct during his tenure.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya, Sindumin assemblyman and Qhazanah Sabah chairman Datuk Yusof Yacob, and eight other assemblymen from the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition are also alleged to have been involved in discussions about bribes.
The whistleblower sought protection under the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 before providing evidence to authorities. However, MACC Chief Commissioner Azam Baki clarified that such protection only applies if improper conduct is disclosed as defined by the law. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also emphasized that whistleblower protection does not extend to individuals involved in corruption.
Hajiji has denied the allegations, dismissing them as politically motivated attempts to tarnish the state government’s image.
Investigations by the MACC are ongoing, with all implicated individuals pledging to cooperate fully with the authorities. - December 4, 2024
