KUCHING, Julai 25: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) must re-open their files on Sarawak Governor Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud amidst accusations of corruption and power abuse.
Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii said the latest report from whistleblower site Sarawak Report on Taib’s alleged link to state-owned Sarawak Petroleum Bhd (Petros) should provide the basis to relook at past reports made against the former chief minister.
The online article ‘Taib’s secret interest in Sarawak’s Petros venture’, published last Friday, cited an Oman news website’s report of a US$150 million financing arrangement between Bank Nizwa and Taib’s family-linked South Sea Energy Sdn Bhd to enable investment in a prospective oil field in Oman.
However, the Sarawak Chief Minister’s Office has denied that Petros was involved in Oman’s massive new oil exploration.
“Since Pakatan Harapan took over Putrajaya, we have been in overdrive in our effort to combat and curb corruption, including launching an investigation into the 1MDB financial scandal as well as the alleged RM2.6 billion channelled to the personal account of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
“I urge for all these anti-corruption measures be extended to Sarawak and all the people suspected of being involved in corruption activities, regardless of position, titles or even wealth status, to be held responsible and brought to justice,” Dr Yii said in his speech at the Dewan Rakyat today.
When it comes to fighting corruption in Sarawak, the Pakatan Harapan lawmaker said authorities must first address “the elephant in the room”. He added that multiple allegations, which have caught the attention of the international media, surfaced but were never given proper explanation or answer.
He claimed that many reports had been lodged against Taib over the years, with the latest dated June 6 this year.
“Multiple parties and NGOs, including the (Switzerland-based) Bruno Manser Fund have expressed their intention to cooperate and share years’ worth of evidence collected on the alleged corruption of Taib. With the recent allegation by Sarawak Report, I strongly believe all this warrants further investigation,” he continued.
Dr Yii also called for greater transparency in the investigation to strengthen public confidence that there would not be any interference.
“Our fight against corruption has not ended. As we fight for greater autonomy and revenue, the fight for good and clean governance is equally, if not more important, so that the people of Sarawak directly benefit from the riches of the land,” he said.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong said MACC had conducted several investigations on Taib but the Attorney General’s Chambers, under the previous Barisan Nasional administration terminated the graft probe in 2013.
The AG at the time was Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, who is now part of the special task force probing the 1MDB corruption scandal.
On July 3, MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Mohd Shukri Abdull said 15 investigation files had been opened against Taib since 2015, but actions have not yet be taken. — DayakDaily
