Anti-graft authorities raided the home of Sabah STAR president Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan late last night and have recorded his statement.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) raided the home of Dr Jeffrey in Keningau over claims that he received RM20 million for two seats that his party won in GE14 that went to Barisan Nasional (BN).
Sabah STAR, with the two states that it won in the just-concluded election, became the kingmaker when both Parti Warisan Sabah and Sabah Barisan were tied with 29 seats in the 60-member state assembly.
Jeffrey had initially talked to Warisan but eventually aligned with Sabah Barisan, leading to Tan Sri Musa Aman being sworn in as chief minister on May 10.
Musa, however, lost his majority when Upko left Sabah Barisan.
Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal was sworn in as Chief Minister on May 12 as Musa had lost his majority.
In the latest development, Jeffrey, who denied taking the RM20 million, said that the authorities had taken some RM80,000 of his cash which was stored in a bag, as well as his bank card.
He spent some four hours with anti-graft authorities explaining the events from May 9 night to May 10 following the election results.
The Tambunan state assemblyman said the MACC called him in following a report of a Facebook post alleging he had received an RM20 million bribe to support BN in forming the state government.
“They asked me to come in on Sunday but I was in church. On Monday I was in Tambunan but I said I would come in on Tuesday. I guess they couldn’t wait because they came to my house in Keningau on Monday afternoon at about 4 or 5pm and searched everywhere.
“Later on they also searched my office in Keningau and Kota Kinabalu at about 10.30pm,” he said.
“I’m glad it is over now. They said this was ok, so hopefully it is over,” he added.
Jeffrey said that he had given his full cooperation to the authorities, who in turn had acted professionally, although he believed the raid was politically motivated.
“I believe they were doing their jobs well, I support such investigations as I have nothing to hide, and it is a waste of time and effort.
“But I believe they should investigate those who created this news. It is not pleasant and it was conducted at ungodly hours,” he said.
He also said that thorough investigations should be carried out on all those who had defected as well during the post-election period.
“We have many leaders who are crooks and they should all be investigated,” he said.