Summary

Sabah’s mining scandal has seen senior politicians and a businessman charged over alleged bribery linked to mineral prospecting licences, with viral videos bringing the controversy into the public eye. The case highlights deep-rooted issues of governance and political power struggles in Sabah, as legal proceedings and official inquiries continue.

Main Article

Sabah’s ongoing mining scandal intensified in July 2025 when State Assistant Minister for Industrial Development Andi Suryady Bandy and Sindumin assemblyman Dr Yusof Yacob were charged with accepting bribes of RM150,000 and RM200,000 respectively. Businessman Albert Tei, who claims to be a whistleblower, was also charged with paying the bribes. Tei had sought legal whistleblower protection but was denied on the grounds that he had participated in the alleged offences.

The controversy came to light when a series of videos, allegedly recorded by Tei and published online, emerged in late 2024. The footage purportedly shows state assemblymen discussing illicit payments for mineral prospecting licences, fuelling claims of a pervasive bribery culture in Sabah’s resource sector. Tei alleged that over RM1 million was paid in total, with “prospecting quotas” being sold based on representatives’ seniority.

Tei further claimed Chief Minister Hajiji Noor offered prospecting quotas to secure political support amid a failed coup attempt within the state assembly in early 2023. The allegations included accusations of revoked permits and amendments to prevent party-hopping among lawmakers. Tei reported facing pressure to remain silent, allegedly submitting nearly 300 pages of evidence to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

In response, Sabah authorities and the MACC have maintained that all parties must be investigated according to due process. The MACC concluded its probe into some suspects by January 2025 and carried out a forensic analysis of the videos after receiving new, unedited footage, which resulted in several arrests and ongoing court proceedings. Chief Minister Hajiji and other implicated leaders have denied wrongdoing, framing the allegations as politically motivated.

Background / Related Cases

The Sabah mining scandal builds on a legacy of corruption controversies in the state’s political and business landscape. Past allegations have often involved claims of resource mismanagement, political defections, and attempts to manipulate the government. The 2023 “Kinabalu Move,” which saw Barisan Nasional (BN) attempt to topple the state government, left lingering political tensions that set the scene for the current crisis.

MACC’s investigations have faced scrutiny regarding evidence credibility and the challenges of prosecuting both givers and recipients of bribes. The Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 has come under criticism as it excludes protection for those implicated in the offending acts revealed. Ongoing civil suits, including actions by Sabah Mineral Management Sdn Bhd against former officers, underline the complexity and far-reaching impact of the scandal.

Sources / Reference

• Main Article: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2025/07/08/the-alleged-sabah-mining-scandal-the-story-so-far

• Supplemental: Official MACC investigations, legal proceedings reported by Malaysiakini, The Star, and other national outlets​