THE decision to close the corruption probe involving businessman Datuk Seri Farhash Wafa Salvador over alleged mineral exploration activities in Sabah was made after prosecutors found no evidence of wrongdoing, the Dewan Rakyat was told on Wednesday.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had investigated the matter and submitted its findings to the Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) for review.
“The Deputy Public Prosecutor decided to close the case as the investigation revealed no offences had been committed. No licences were issued for the land area in question, and no transfer of land ownership took place,” Azalina said in a written parliamentary reply.
“Therefore, based on these facts, there was no issue or offence under the MACC Act 2009 (Act 694) or any other law. However, unlike civil cases, criminal cases are not subject to a limitation period. If new developments arise in the future, further investigation and review of this case can still be undertaken,” she added.
Azalina was responding to Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN–Kota Bharu), who had asked for the legal justification behind MACC’s decision to close the case, which had been described by some as the “Sabah mining scandal”.
On 9 September, MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed that the investigation into Farhash had been completed and closed, following the DPP’s conclusion that there was no criminal offence attributable to any party.
Azam said MACC had interviewed all relevant individuals and recorded statements from parties including Sabah Mineral Management and the Sabah state government.
The investigation stemmed from allegations that a company linked to Farhash had received state approval to explore mineral resources in Sabah, a claim the probe ultimately found to be unsubstantiated. - October 30, 2025
