THE formal charges expected to be brought soon against three individuals – including two assemblymen from the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition – mark a significant development in the on-going investigation into alleged misconduct involving state-issued mining licences.
Yet far from being a crisis, this moment underlines the maturity of Sabah’s institutions. The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has confirmed that it received full cooperation from the Sabah state government throughout the investigation.
“The Chief Minister’s Office has always made it clear – we will not stand in the way of any investigation. We have nothing to hide. New Sabah does not stand for corruption,” a senior official from the Chief Minister’s Office told FocusM.
More importantly, MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki has publicly stated that Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor is not among those being investigated.
This clears the state’s top leadership of any involvement, reinforcing the message that the administration remains focused and intact.
“We are grateful that MACC has clarified this matter. The Chief Minister has carried out his responsibilities with integrity and a clear conscience,” justified the official. “Our priority now is to ensure that the state government continues to function without disruption.”
Meanwhile, Hajiji in response to media queries on Wednesday (June 18) about the assemblymen being charged, stressed that his administration was committed to clean governance, hence it not only upholds the law but also strengthens integrity among government members and public servants.
“Let the courts decide whether they are guilty or not. They have the opportunity to clear their names,” the GRS chairman was quoted as saying in the media. He also expressed confidence that the charges would not affect his government.
Towards clean government
Party insiders also confirmed that the individuals under investigation had not disclosed their dealings to coalition leadership.
“Let it be clear. These alleged actions were taken without the knowledge, consent, or mandate of the party leadership. They are being held accountable as individuals,” revealed another source familiar with internal discussions.
GRS as a coalition was born out of a promise to deliver clean, competent governance after a prolonged period of political instability.
The charges set to be brought against the lawmakers – while unfortunate – re-affirm that promise, not weaken it.
No attempt has been made to shield anyone from scrutiny. There has been no interference from party leaders precisely because GRS has confidence in the rule of law and the independence of enforcement agencies.
“If wrongdoing has occurred, we trust that the courts will deliver justice. But until then, we maintain the principle of due process. The law must take its course,” the official added.
For now, the Sabah state leadership has chosen to stay the course by staying focused on its development agenda, people’s welfare, and rebuilding investor confidence.
The GRS-led state government remains committed to steering Sabah forward. “This government was elected to serve and we will not allow the actions of a few individuals to derail that mission. Remember that for now, they are innocent until proven otherwise,” the official from the CM’s Office added.
Indeed, the state’s core programmes – from infrastructure and rural development to job creation and digital transformation – continue to move ahead.
The administration’s fiscal reforms have put Sabah on stronger financial footing while its collaborative approach with the federal government has begun to bear fruit in the form of greater development funding and policy autonomy.
The charges set to be brought against the two assemblymen must not be seen not as a step backward but as a necessary process in strengthening public trust.
The government will continue to engage transparently with the public and media to ensure that the people of Sabah are kept informed, not left in the dark.
As one official put it: “GRS was never about individuals. It is about a new political culture. We remain anchored in that mission.”
The fact that such charges can be brought without political interference – and with full cooperation from the state – sends a clear message. Sabah is turning a page with accountability as a top priority.
One swallow does not make a summer. The strength of GRS lies not in avoiding challenges but in responding to them with principle, clarity and purpose. – June 20, 2025
Main image credit: Rider Chris
