Sabah Mining License Case Fuels Anti Corruption Debate as Anwar’s Reform Promise Faces Public Scrutiny

suppadmin | December 11, 2025

SUPP Kuching Branch Youth Chief, Nicholas Wung Duk Ying, said the complete defeat of DAP in Sabah’s seventeenth state election was worsened by the arrest of businessman Albert Tei on 28 November 2025, just before polling day. He said the arrest, linked to the Sabah mining license investigation, turned a potential informant into an accused individual, becoming “the last straw that broke the camel’s back” for many voters.

He referred to comments by former MACC Chief Commissioner Latheefa Koya, who highlighted the contrast between Albert’s situation and previous high profile cases such as the Penang undersea tunnel and the Sarawak solar matter, where bribe givers testified as key witnesses. Latheefa argued that informants should receive early protection even if that protection may later be reviewed. Public records, however, do not indicate that immunity for bribe payers is a standing practice.

Latheefa also noted that Albert was not given any protection and was instead arrested. MACC has publicly explained that under the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010, Section 11 subsection 1, individuals involved in wrongdoing are not eligible for whistleblower protection. She questioned the government’s position, warning that such treatment may discourage future informants. On 30 June 2025, two state assemblymen were charged together with Albert, and all pleaded not guilty.

Nicholas cited further developments including criticism from Rafizi Ramli, who is often described as the government’s internal opposition. Rafizi criticised MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki and urged the Prime Minister not to extend his service beyond the current one year extension. He challenged Nurul Izzah and Anthony Loke to declare their stand openly, saying continued silence would damage the government’s reform image. The government stated that any decision on Azam’s future will depend on performance and agency needs.

Rafizi also questioned MACC performance, pointing to voter dissatisfaction in Sabah. He cited figures showing that the proportion of investigation papers that resulted in charges fell from 56 percent in 2020 to 39 percent in 2024, while the conviction rate dropped from 36 percent to 22 percent.

Following DAP’s heavy loss in Sabah, the party said it has heard the message from voters and promised to push for faster reforms within six months together with the Prime Minister. Nicholas said voters will judge the pledge based on concrete action, and the public is now closely watching DAP and PKR to see if they can deliver the 2022 manifesto commitments within the promised period.