Assemblymen bribery case is no distraction, says GRS

PETALING JAYA: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) has reiterated its commitment to doing its best to serve Sabahans in leading the state government amid recent bribery allegations involving several of its assemblymen.

GRS information chief Joniston Bangkuai said the claims would not distract the ruling coalition from its work, more so if it was an attempt to discredit its achievements, The Borneo Post reported.

He reiterated what chief minister and GRS chairman Hajiji Noor had said, that the state government would fully cooperate with graft busters in its probe as they had nothing to hide.

“If the allegations are just intended to distract us (the GRS-led government), then why should we allow it to do so?

“Despite the noise, GRS remains focussed on what truly matters, that is, advancing Sabah and improving the lives of its people,” the state assistant minister was quoted as saying.

Joniston, who is also Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) information chief, questioned the timing of the allegations surfacing, with the Sabah polls due anytime next year.

An individual claiming to be a whistleblower reportedly alleged that eight assemblymen, as well as the “top leader” of the state, were involved in seeking bribes for a project licence.

His lawyer had met with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) recently to ask for a guarantee that his client would not be investigated, before providing evidence to the agency.

However, MACC rejected this request, stating they could not provide a written guarantee of immunity without detailed information about the alleged improper conduct.

A video had surfaced yesterday of Kemabong assemblyman Rubin Balang having discussions with another individual purportedly about a mining project in Sabah.

However, the Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah vice-president maintained that there was no element of corruption in that meeting, saying he would fully cooperate with MACC on any investigation.