Jeffrey speaking to reporters.
KOTA KINABALU (July 1): Sabah Deputy Chief Minister I, Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, said he will lodge a police report against individuals making allegations that link him to a mining licence corruption scandal.
“First, we lodge the police report, and after that, we will see the reaction to what I’ve mentioned. Then I will discuss with the lawyers, listen to their advice, and decide on the next steps,” said Jeffrey, who is also STAR Sabah president and Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry.
He suggested the allegations are part of a larger scheme, claiming there may be a “hidden hand” orchestrating the controversy from behind the scenes.
When asked if he suspected anyone specific, Jeffrey replied, “Your guess is as good as mine,” while adding that certain individuals might be aiming to topple the current government.
“Obviously, it has something to do with that. And this is not new. I mean, it has been going on for many years — the same game is being played. I am no longer surprised,” he said.
He further described the allegations as a possible “entrapment,” questioning why his group was implicated later than others.
“I mean, why suddenly? We were the last group to be involved in the scandal. Why not together? Are there phases to this plan? We shall see … whether they’re still standing by or whether we refused to bow to them — and maybe then, they did this,” he said.
Speaking earlier at the STAR Sabah ninth anniversary celebration at the Sabah International Convention Centre on Tuesday, Jeffrey said it would have been impossible for the videos implicating him to be recorded without malicious intent.
“I have no idea [who recorded the footage], but it looks all planned — like an entrapment to me,” he said.
When asked whether he had met businessman Albert Tei, Jeffrey confirmed that he had.
“It’s normal for businessmen to meet various people. That’s how we got to know him,” he said.
He added that the video in question appeared to have been taken in Kuala Lumpur and its date might coincide with the Parliamentary pre-council.
Jeffrey also confirmed that he had already given a statement to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) during earlier investigations.
“Everyone was summoned, so I went to give my statement. After that, we thought that was it — MACC never contacted us again or sent us any letters. We thought it had nothing to do with us. Then came the news with the allegation. We were shocked, of course,” he said.
The latest developments, he said, have prompted him to rethink and strengthen his political strategy.
Asked whether anything significant would be unveiled at STAR Sabah’s upcoming party convention on July 12, he said:
“Yes, that convention is to strengthen our unity so we can move forward together. Obviously, it doesn’t change anything. It just reinforces it.”
When asked whether he believed the public would continue to support him, Jeffrey admitted uncertainty.
“There are people who will immediately exploit it. I see the PKR group suddenly going ‘ooh, ooh.’ So, they think the political landscape will change. We can already see their plan to shift the people from one situation to another,” he said.
He also claimed that Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor views the issue as part of a political game, and said calls for suspension of those implicated might play into a trap.
“But still, we need to study public perception. And if it warrants action, then maybe we will have to look into it,” he said.
A recent online news report, citing unnamed sources, also named several other figures allegedly linked to the scandal, including STAR Sabah deputy presidents Datuk Ellron Angin and Datuk Robert Tawik; Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili; acting PBS president Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam; and the party’s deputy president Datuk Seri Jahid Jahim.
Separately, Jeffrey confirmed that STAR Sabah has submitted its wish list.
“There are many wishes,” he said. “Maybe 15. I say maybe.”
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