In explosive clip, woman linked to embattled PM's aide names Anwar as mastermind of Sabah scandal videos

A six-minute clip has emerged showing a woman identified as a "proxy" to Anwar Ibrahim's political secretary, Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin, making a series of shocking admissions, including a claim that the prime minister himself gave his blessing to secretly record Sabah ruling politicians discussing bribes in exchange for mining licences in the state.

The video was recorded by Albert Tei, the businessman behind video clips implicating Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairman and Chief Minister Hajiji Noor, as well as more than a dozen other ruling assemblymen.

In the clip dated Nov 21, the woman is heard confirming to Tei that the idea to secretly record the videos he released last year originated from Shamsul and received Anwar's blessing.

The woman also agreed to a suggestion by Tei that Anwar was the main beneficiary of the release of the videos.

The clip began circulating just as Shamsul announced he was stepping down as Anwar's political secretary, claiming he had learnt of attempts to attack him with allegations that could damage the government's image.

News portal Malaysiakini today quoted Tei as saying he spent close to RM630,000 on Shamsul in the hope that the latter would help him negotiate with Hajiji to recover money Tei had given to GRS politicians.

The portal said Tei also claimed to have paid for renovations, appliances, and furnishings for two properties – one in Bangsar and an official residence in Putrajaya.

Tei's expenditure also includes expensive cigars, it added.

The report said Tei claimed to have handed over at least RM350,000 in cash to Shamsul between November 2023 and October 2024.

The woman in the video appears to corroborate some of these payments, when she agreed to Tei's suggestion that RM20,000 was passed at a cigar café in Kota Kinabalu, RM100,000 at the Majestic Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, and several other cash handouts on various occasions.

In announcing his resignation today, Shamsul has vowed to defend himself.

MalaysiaNow has contacted both Shamsul and the Prime Minister's Office for their reaction.

Tei began releasing a series of videos through Malaysiakini in December last year, implicating more than a dozen state assemblymen, senior Sabah ministers, and a state assembly speaker.

This soon led to pressure on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to launch investigations, with anti-graft activists urging authorities to grant whistleblower status to Tei, who had initially hidden his identity out of concern for his personal safety.

Following the release of the videos, Anwar rejected his request for protection under the Whistleblower Protection Act.

In June, after months of pressure on MACC, two Sabah assemblymen were charged with receiving and giving bribes alongside Tei himself.

Tei, as well as activists and lawyers, have since slammed MACC for targeting "small fish" while sparing senior officials and other "sharks" seen in the videos.

Tei's revelation today comes just days after Shamsul was embroiled in controversy for issuing a letter of support for contractors involved in a hospital project.

Anwar, however, has scoffed at calls to investigate his aide, saying instead that he had reprimanded Shamsul.