KUALA LUMPUR — United Sabah Dusun Association (USDA) deputy president Datuk Kalakau Untol has slammed calls by Sabah Umno leaders for Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor to resign amid a mining scandal plaguing the latter’s administration.
Such calls are “inappropriate” as no court charges on the matter have been filed, and the resigning is not a “solution” to the scandal, Kalakau, an ex-lawmaker and former federal deputy minister, said in a statement.
“I think it is unfair and inappropriate to ask (Hajiji) to resign (as) he was not charged, he did not go to court.
“(The allegations against Hajiji) are only based on a video…intended to tarnish the image of our leaders,” he added.
He also urged the relevant authorities to investigate the recipients and givers of illicit funds as well as the “motivations” behind such allegations.
Without detailing specifics, Kalakau also said prominent individuals previously implicated in high-profile corruption cases at the federal level did not resign from their government posts.
Kalakau’s statement joins others who have supported Hajiji against calls by Sabah Umno for Hajiji’s resignation after the release of videos implicating several Sabah assemblymen who allegedly received bribes to support an application for a mining license.
Previously, Umno Youth Treasurer Mohd Kurniawan Naim Moktar had said that Hajiji should step down with dignity after facing integrity, reputation, and credibility issues.
He proposed that GRS deputy chairman Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan be appointed as the interim chief minister due to his credibility, integrity, and positive reputation for leading the state administration.
Yesterday, Jeffrey said that the suggestion is inappropriate, citing similar arguments as Kalakau.
Kalakau in his statement praised Hajiji for not bowing to “political threats” from those attempting to overthrow the ruling government through “undemocratic means”.
“Should the chief minister succumb to political pressure, it will bring about big impacts to the people of Sabah, especially the younger generation.
“What Hajiji did (sends) a strong message to his political rivals on how he will not follow according to their whims and fancies,” he added.
Kalakau, however, said his support for Hajiji is not equal to condoning corruption.
Ahead of state elections expected next year, Sabah politics has been rocked by a whistleblower’s release of multiple videos implicating several state assemblymen who were filmed discussing alleged bribes received to support an application for a mining prospecting licence.
However, Hajiji reportedly did not approve the license application, causing members of the young wing of his party, Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah to state that this was proof the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition chairman was clean.
Hajiji has said he has nothing to hide regarding the case, assuring that the state government will assist in anti-graft investigations. – December 9, 2024
