SABAH Umno Youth has called for Hajiji Noor to step down as chief minister following a mining scandal allegedly involving several assemblymen from the state discussing bribes for a project licence.

Sabah Umno Youth chief Sufian Abd Karim said that Hajiji, as chief minister and the person in charge of state affairs, must take full responsibility for the matter.

“Hajiji should step down as chief minister of Sabah to allow an independent and transparent investigation to proceed without interference from the administration,” he said in a statement.

He also called for a comprehensive and impartial investigation into Sabah Mineral Management Sdn Bhd (SMM), and for the findings of the probe to be disclosed to the public to restore confidence in the state administration.

The people of Sabah deserved to know the truth, he said.

“The Sabah Umno Youth wing can no longer remain silent. It is deeply concerning that there are allegations of the state’s wealth being misused, resulting in significant losses for Sabah and its people,” Sufian added.

Hajiji said last month that he had nothing to hide, and pledged that the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah-led state government would assist in the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) investigation of the case.

On Nov 18, it was reported that SMM had accused its former CEO, Jontih Enggihon, of breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, and misconduct.

SMM CEO Natasha Sim said Jontih’s alleged wrongdoing was uncovered following a comprehensive internal probe into his affairs while holding the post.

Sim claimed this included breaches of fiduciary duties, fraudulent activities, misrepresentation to the SMM board of directors, and misconduct.

Police and MACC reports were filed against Jontih, accusing him of colluding with a purported whistleblower behind several videos which have gone viral, alleging corruption involving a number of Sabah assemblymen.

Jontih denied the allegations and said the claim that he had acted as a middleman between the whistleblower and assemblymen was a “total lie”.

He said he had evidence to back his claim that Hajiji had abused his powers, including text messages from the chief minister, briefing notes, and minutes from SMM board of directors meetings.