Sabah Perlu Tindakan, Bukan Alasan — Skandal Perlombongan Jangan Dikambus Dengan Prosedur

Oleh Daniel John Jambun, 30-5-2025

KAMI mengambil maklum kenyataan Perdana Menteri hari ini di Hongkod Koisaan KDCA di Penampang berkenaan skandal perlombongan di Sabah. Walaupun kami menghargai kehadiran beliau sempena sambutan Kaamatan dan pendiriannya terhadap keperluan proses undang-undang, kami tidak boleh berdiam diri apabila isu serius yang melibatkan berbilion ringgit hasil bumi Sabah disisihkan dengan alasan prosedur dan analogi yang mengelirukan.

Perlu ditegaskan: tiada siapa meminta Perdana Menteri bertindak sebagai diktator. Apa yang rakyat Sabah tuntut ialah keberanian moral, ketegasan politik, dan kepimpinan yang telus—terutamanya apabila kekayaan negeri ini terus dirompak di bawah pengawasan pihak yang berkuasa.

Skandal perlombongan ini bukan isu kecil. Ia bukan sekadar video tular atau rakaman yang dikatakan dihasilkan oleh AI—ia adalah penyalahgunaan kuasa yang nyata dan serius, eksploitasi terhadap sumber asli kita, dan tanda jelas bahawa rakyat Sabah seolah-olah dibiarkan mempertahankan diri sendiri manakala mereka yang bersalah terus dilindungi.

Kami amat bimbang dengan kenyataan Perdana Menteri yang menyamakan pemberi maklumat (whistleblower) dengan penjenayah yang menggelapkan berbilion ringgit. Analogi ini bukan sahaja salah—malah memberikan mesej yang merbahaya. Pemberi maklumat bukan masalah—merekalah benteng terakhir antara rasuah dan kebenaran. Mengatakan mereka tidak layak dilindungi hanya akan melemahkan keberanian rakyat untuk mendedahkan salah laku pada masa hadapan.

Jika benar kerajaan kini memiliki rakaman penuh, rakyat berhak tahu dengan segera: Apakah tindakan SPRM? Siapa yang telah disoal siasat? Aset siapa yang telah dibekukan? Bilakah rakyat akan tahu kebenaran?

Lebih membimbangkan, pujian terbuka Perdana Menteri terhadap Ketua Menteri—dalam keadaan wujud persoalan sah terhadap penglibatan pentadbiran beliau dalam skandal ini—menambah persepsi bahawa kepentingan politik lebih diutamakan daripada integriti dan keadilan.

Sabah telah lama dirompak kekayaannya. Ini bukan soal politik semata-mata—ini soal maruah, akauntabiliti, dan masa depan rakyat kita.

Kami mendesak Perdana Menteri agar menunaikan kata-katanya sendiri. Jangan biarkan hak Sabah dikambus oleh birokrasi. Jangan jadikan proses undang-undang sebagai alasan untuk tidak bertindak.

Rakyat sedang memerhati. Dan kami tidak akan berdiam diri.

Daniel John Jambun ialah Presiden

Borneo’s Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BoPiMaFo).

The English Version:

Sabah Deserves Action, Not Excuses — The Mining Scandal Must Not Be Buried Under Procedure

We take note of the Prime Minister's remarks today at the KDCA Hongkod Koisaan in Penampang regarding the Sabah mining scandal. While we welcome his presence at Kaamatan and his stated commitment to due process, we cannot remain silent when such a serious issue involving billions in Sabahan resources is brushed aside with procedural deflections and misplaced analogies.

Let us be clear: no one is asking the Prime Minister to act like a dictator. What Sabahans are demanding is moral courage, political clarity, and transparent leadership—especially when our state’s wealth is plundered under the watch of those in power.

The Sabah mining scandal is not a trivial matter. It is not just about viral videos or AI-generated clips—it is about the very real and visible abuse of power, the exploitation of our natural resources, and the growing sense that Sabahans are being left to fend for themselves while those responsible remain protected.

We are deeply concerned by the Prime Minister’s statement comparing whistleblowers to criminals who embezzle billions. This analogy is not only flawed—it sends the wrong message. Whistleblowers are not the problem. They are often the last line of defence between corruption and truth. To suggest they do not deserve protection is to discourage future acts of public courage that expose wrongdoing.

If indeed the government is in possession of the full footage, then the people deserve an immediate update: What has the MACC done? Who has been questioned? What assets have been frozen? When will the public know the truth?

Furthermore, the Prime Minister’s public praise of the Chief Minister—at a time when legitimate questions are being raised about his administration’s role in this scandal—only deepens the perception that political alliances are being prioritised over integrity and justice.

Sabah has been robbed of its wealth for far too long. This is not about politics—it is about dignity, accountability, and the future of our people.

We urge the Prime Minister to live up to his own words. Do not let Sabah’s rights be buried under bureaucracy. Do not let due process become a shield for inaction.

The people are watching. And we will not stay silent.

Daniel John Jambun is President of

Borneo's Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BoPiMaFo).#~Borneo Herald™