THE Sabah mining corruption scandal is now under closer scrutiny following 10 unedited videos surrendered to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to expand its investigation.
The videos, handed over by former MACC chief and Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) adviser Latheefa Koya, are undergoing forensic analysis to determine their authenticity and evidential value.
Their submission has led MACC to summon several individuals, including Albert Tei, a businessman previously questioned but never publicly named until now.
Tei has been called in for questioning on March 12 at 2 pm in Kuala Lumpur, with others implicated in the videos also being summoned as part of MACC’s next steps.
MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed that the agency began calling in those involved only after receiving the full, unedited videos.
Unlike earlier footage, which had been ruled inadmissible due to heavy editing, the latest submissions are being examined to determine whether they meet legal standards for evidence.
“For your information, the videos captured and released by Malaysiakini before this, all of them, as I have mentioned, had been edited.
“So any video that has been edited is not considered as evidence because this has been decided by the court,” he said when met by reporters in Kota Kinabalu.
He added that MACC’s forensic team, which is accredited by the Department of Standards Malaysia, is verifying the new footage before deciding on the next course of action.
The investigation has now widened to include multiple individuals, with Sabah State Assembly Speaker Datuk Kadzim Yahya among those reportedly linked to the recordings.
Azam stated that MACC will only proceed with an investigation into Kadzim if the footage is verified as genuine.
“We will investigate, but as I have stated before, the video must be authentic. I am referring this matter to our legal officers at MACC and our legally qualified investigators.”
The lawyer who submitted the videos has also been called in for questioning and is being treated as a witness in the case.
“The lawyer, if I am not mistaken, is currently at the office, and we are recording his statement. Because he is a witness as he received the video,” he said.
Azam reiterated that Albert Tei will not receive whistleblower protection, as such protection does not apply to individuals involved in wrongdoings.
“I have said many times that he will not be protected under whistleblower protection. A whistleblower can only be protected if they did not commit or were not involved in an offense,” he said.
The decision on whether to prosecute Tei and others named in the videos will rest with the Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP).
“Ultimately, we will make a decision, but it is up to the DPP to determine whether there is a case,” he said.
The Sabah mining scandal remains a focus for investigators as MACC reviews the latest evidence and determines its legal significance. - March 11, 2025
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