“A system is corrupt when it is strictly profit-driven, not driven to serve the best interests of its people.”
– Suzy Kassem, American poet
AT the outset, I would like to defend the role played by Malaysiakini, as a media house, in its recent expose of the Sabah mining scandal.
I was on the editorial team of Malaysiakini for more than seven years from 2002 to 2009, and I’m fully aware how the news portal operates.
Malaysiakini does have a reputation for credibility. Since its founding in 1999, it has generally been regarded, both locally and internationally, as one of Malaysia’s most independent and professional news outlets, especially for investigative journalism.
In cases like the Sabah mining scandal, when a whistleblower comes forward, Malaysiakini would not simply publish raw claims. Like most credible newsrooms, it typically vets, cross-checks and corroborates information before releasing an expose.
That was how we operated when I was in Malaysiakini in those early years, and I’m sure the same level of discipline and professionalism exists today.
Since the expose was first published on November 9 last year, there have been so many twists and turns in the scandal that has left many observers either amazed or amused.
I am one of them. I have several good friends within the media and political circles in Sabah, and I have also noted their bewilderment at how the scandal had developed.
The scandal didn’t start with vague allegations but with video recordings of elected representatives allegedly discussing bribes.
This kind of direct evidence is rare in Malaysian politics, so each release of new clips kept shifting the narrative. People were hooked because it played out almost like a political drama series.
Then came the political entanglements, and those at the pinnacle of power were caught ‘red-handed’, as it was played out in the videos.
Sabah politics is notoriously fluid, with frequent defections, shifting alliances and of course, the dreaded money politics. The scandal struck at the heart of this culture and because several big names were implicated, even if indirectly, every denial, counter-accusation or justification added another twist.
The conflicting responses from leaders make matters worse for the state. For example, the Sabah chief minister was quick to dismiss the allegations and even “clear” those implicated before investigations were completed.
The anti-corruption dimension added another twist. The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had to respond under public pressure.
Its investigations, statements and silences were closely scrutinised, with observers often pointing out contradictions or delays. This back-and-forth between media exposes and official responses made the scandal feel like it had many moving parts.
While Malaysians have grown used to corruption scandals, but this one – because of the sheer audacity captured on video – provoked both outrage and amusement.
The irony of politicians casually discussing payoffs while denying wrongdoing in public fed a sense of dark comedy.
In short, the twists come from the mix of hard evidence, political manoeuvering, defensive overreactions and public cynicism. To many, it has exposed the theatre of Sabah politics – where money, power and loyalty often dance together in unpredictable ways.
Like many of you, I would have wanted this mining scandal to be handled better by the relevant authorities and those in power.
Indeed, it could have been handled more credibly had the authorities acted with a sense of transparency, accountability and urgency from the outset.
Instead of dismissing the whistleblower’s revelations or rushing to clear those implicated, the political leadership should have acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations and allowed due process to take its course.
By doing so, the government would have shown that it upholds integrity above political loyalty, reassuring the public that no one is above the law.
I also think that the MACC should have stepped in more swiftly and decisively, seizing all relevant evidence and interviewing the individuals involved without delay.
A transparent timeline of investigations, periodic updates to the public and guarantees of whistleblower protection would have strengthened public confidence.
What damaged credibility was the perception of selective action, inconsistent statements, and silence at critical moments. If MACC had been more proactive and independent, the scandal would not have snowballed into a spectacle.
Equally important is the role of the Sabah Government and its leadership. Rather than circling the wagons to protect political allies, the Sabah administration should have set the example by suspending or sidelining those implicated until investigations were complete.
This would have sent a strong message that public office is a privilege, not a shield against accountability. By refusing to downplay the issue and instead insisting on clean governance, Sabah leaders could have turned a crisis into an opportunity to restore faith in state politics.
Finally, the scandal underscores the need for systemic reforms including stricter oversight of mining and natural resource licences, open tender systems, and public disclosure of contracts.
Had such mechanisms been in place, the opportunities for corruption would have been narrower. Handling the scandal better means not only addressing the immediate fallout but also strengthening institutions to prevent similar episodes in the future.
It is my earnest belief that those in power could have handled this latest corruption scandal in a more upright and professional manner, but sadly, the GRS government did not.
● Francis Paul Siah is a veteran Sarawak editor and currently heads the Movement for Change, Sarawak (MoCS). He can be reached at sirsiah@gmail.com
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune.
