DrJeffrey (second right) with Anuar (left) and lawyer Dominic Ghani.
KOTA KINABALU : – Deputy Chief Minister I and STAR President Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey G. Kitingan gave a five-and-a-half-hour statement to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in Kota Kinabalu on Thursday, from 5.30pm until 11pm.
“He cooperated fully with investigators and has completed his statement,” said his Political Secretary Anuar Ghani in a statement on Friday.
Jeffrey and several other STAR leaders were implicated in a viral video linking them to political donations and mining licences.
After exiting the MACC office, Dr Jeffrey remarked: “Let us now focus on the people and the elections.”
On Wednesday, Jeffrey said businessman Albert Tei’s latest video implicating him in the mining scandal was a set-up, stating he could not clearly recall the conversation.
MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed that the Sabah MACC has initiated an investigation paper.
Anuar, who is also STAR information chief, advised all parties to allow the investigation to proceed without interference and to await its outcome.
He also urged the public and STAR members not to speculate and to respect the rule of law.
“Amid this situation, it is important to keep sight of the bigger issues facing Sabah — such as asserting our rights to the 40% net revenue entitlement, territorial claims over oil and gas, flood mitigation, climate change, food security, and pressing social concerns. These require our collective focus.
“We are concerned that the current circumstances could be used to influence public perception negatively, undermining the reputation and credibility of Sabah’s esteemed leaders — especially those who have historically resisted domination from Malaya,” he said.
“If the image and standing of Sabah’s leadership are damaged, Sabahans may be misled into seeking supposedly ‘better and cleaner’ leadership from outside the state, giving Malayan parties greater influence over Sabah’s affairs.
“Ultimately, the decision on who governs Sabah rests with its people. Sabahans alone must determine their future leadership. Let the ballot box decide,” Anuar added.
