If I was Datuk Rubin, I would be talking to the best lawyers I can to assess damages as it seems the videos were released in bad faith.With the rumors still running rampantly about, it tickled curiosity about the supposed context of why this whistleblowe
It came to my surprise when a sudden viral news announcements from the sensationalist Malaysiakini news outlet claimed a “whistleblower” had approached them and was preparing to release a list of names and videos that purported to include some highlevel GRS Political bigwigs in a corruption scandal. A purported letter requesting for protection was even sent to PMX even, to illicit an image that this scandal had physical reprecussions. Like everyone, there was initial shock, but as the days rolled out and speculation and rumors spread online, it became quite clear that this supposed “riveting” revelation from Malaysiakini was in fact coated with a dirty and purporseful ignorance of facts. To the team at Malaysiakini, do better with your reporting.
Firstly, there seems to raise serious doubt about the caliber of this whistleblower, alleged by some outlets to be a Dato’ Albert Tei. Illegally obtained audio recordings and “videos” paint a “Guess who” witch-hunt, with political cybertroopers and netizens fueling discussion from online message boards of Reddit and social media about it being the Chief Minister of Sabah being the purported “voice” to an admission of bribery. As reporters, it is no doubt part of the training to follow whispers and profiles of known figures in public space – but that voice on the recording sounded nothing close to that of the Hajiji. Those in the journalism fraternity are regularly used to hearing, even at a higher level of private dialogue the voices of politicians, especially heads of state.
I would argue that the biggest sufferer of this situation is unfortunately Datuk Rubin Balang. He seems to be the only one caught on camera, but even then, it was done in confidentiality – thanks to Malaysiakini’s irresponsible approach to journalism, this evidence can no longer be admissable in a court room – unless you take a different view of the matter and see that perhaps, the specific reason for this release was to cause reputational damages for Datuk Rubin for the inference of political bribery which, in the context of the video released, was under the context for a company that Datuk Rubin was the shareholder in that held an exploration license – this is business talk, not political talk. If I was Datuk Rubin, I would be talking to the best lawyers I can to assess damages as it seems the videos were released in bad faith.
With the rumors still running rampantly about, it tickled curiosity about the supposed context of why this whistleblower is announcing such accusations – I am truely not satisfied with half truths and the vague reporting from Malaysiakini. Surely, those who alledge should also be transparent.
As the MACC proceeds with it’s investigation efforts and MCMC issues take down notices, it all still didn’t make sense - reaching out to some political inside sources of the state government of Sabah also helped to provide some additional context:
And the most surprising of all:
5. The project in question was a mining concession for coal in Sabah.
For those who remember, it seems that it has become quite clear that the “whistleblower” and MK are trying very hard to hide the dirtiest word of Sabah: Coal, regardless knowingly, this had been a well known aspect of Sabah’s open disdain against the usage and exploitation of coal in our state, best said by Finance Minister of Sabah, Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun - “Monkeys Over Coal” – The state had the futureproof wisdom to locate most of our Permenent Forest Estates (PFE) in areas that also allegedly has coal reserves. You can take a guess where the exploration attempts were heading too.
To recall Sabah’s avoidance for coal mining, let’s look back at some historical events, the political links involved and the consistency of the state against coal:
3 times had the attempt by non-Sabahans to shove coal mining and coal industries down our throats failed – and again, in 2024, it seems the government had already rejected the notion, causing the uncessary drama that is unfolding today – Let’s also not forget that one of the driving forces against the introduction of coal industries into Sabah, today, sits in a very powerful position in our state.
However, more concerningly, is that there actually doesn’t seem to be any case of corruption at all. Some will ask why?
Breaking down the facts, the Sabah State government has never issued out a coal mining license – exploration, yes, but who is in charge of providing the concession for mining? It would be easy to point the finger at CM Hajiji, but that is too simplistic in translation – what’s the point of SMM? Sabah Mineral Management Sdn Bhd is simply a geoligical services provider for the government as a business entity (GLC), they would provide assistance in exploration efforts, but by no means do they have the power to issue out a concession for coal.
What now?
This leaves a gaping question about this entire situation – how can there be corruption when the project doesn’t have a government department to oversee it? If there is no government department, then how can it be considered a project to begin with? Who issues the license?
A prediction of outcome from those close to the matter have shared that it may be the case that the MACC may not even have any case – how can there exist corruption to obtain a project through bribery if there is no project to begin with? Shoudn’t it be proven that to ascertain willful negligence and naivety of the one giving money that they recieved some compense in return? What did they recieve in compense?
Then this puts into question another point - even the supposed “whistleblower” is by no means a whistleblower, because to qualify for whistleblower protection requires specific processes under Act 711 – The Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 (Free for download from SPRM). By going against the very act and self-interpreting the Whistleblower Protection Act in Malaysia, it undermines legitimate whislteblowers in the future. This is an extremely dangerous precedent to accept the legitimacy of the MK Whistleblower, and reminds journalists to practice caution before views.
In summary, this whole situation is a big dreamers / crooks attempt at nothing. If there isn’t any coal mining project, if nobody in those supposed videos and audio clips even have the power to approve such a project, then this entire charade conducted by Malaysiakini and its “sources” needs a reality check. I’m certain the government of Sabah too can accept bad news, but it cannot accept fake news.
By Mr Rem
