A statement from the Swiss Attorney General’s office, published today in a national newspaper, has added further dramatic proof to our evidence that Sabah’s Chief Minister, Musa Aman, has been under investigation over timber kickbacks worth at least US$90million.
The Zurich-based Sunday weekly, Sonntagszeitung, was following up on our reports that the Hong Kong authorities had traced millions of dollars, flowing from companies linked to Sabah timber concessions into a UBS Zurich bank account in the name of Musa Aman himself.
Sonntagszeitung first challenged UBS, the Swiss bank which had allegedly managed the transactions through a complex web of bank accounts, controlled by two of the Chief Minister’s close associates, the timber trader Michael Chia and Sabah solicitor Richard Christopher Barnes.
The bank has so far declined to comment.
Statement from the Swiss Attorney General’s Office confirms the investigation!
However, the newspaper did receive crucial confirmation of the investigation from Switzerland’s legal enforcement agency, the Attorney General’s Office.
Journalists posed a carefully worded question, which mentioned Musa Aman by name, highlighted his position and specified the exact sum of US$90million that the Hong Kong authorities were believed to be investigating.
They asked whether the Swiss authorities had been approached by Hong Kong’s Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) to assist in providing information about the case in the context of these key facts:
Question: “The Malaysian politician Musa Aman, Minister of the State of Sabah, is at the centre of a corruption case in Malaysia and Hong Kong. Hong Kong’s anti corruption authority has compiled a report on the case. It is alleged that, through nominees, Aman has received a total of 90 million US dollars of corruption payments from logging companies in return for granting logging concessions. Allegedly, these funds have been laundered through a network of companies and deposited on UBS accounts in Hong Kong and Zurich. Lawyer Richard Christopher Barnes and businessman Chia Tien Foh have been mentioned as nominees. These occurrences date back to the years 2006 to 2008.
My question is the following one: Has the Office of the Attorney General led an investigation for suspected money-laundering or other criminal offences in this context?“ [Translation of the question submitted to the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland, by the Zurich-based Sunday weekly, Sonntagszeitung, 20th April 2012]
It is the reply of the Attorney General’s Office to this question that clearly confirms the investigation into Musa Aman for suspected money-laundering:
Statement: “The Office of the Attorney General has in this context provided legal assistance. The result of the legal assistance enforcement has been forwarded to the Federal Office of Justice on 29th March 2012 for transmission to the requesting authorities in Hong Kong.
The Office of the Attorney General does not inform on the content or the enforcement of the legal assistance request. As legal assistance enforcement authority, we generally do not answer questions on investigations led abroad. The authority on information lies with the foreign criminal prosecutors in charge.“[Translation of reply by Jacqueline Bühlmann, spokesperson for the Office of the Attorney General 20th April 2012]
“In this context”!
Showman - Musa Aman is going to have to explain why Switzerland was cooperating into an investigation into money laundering by him
It is the crucial acknowledgement of the context of the investigation, as one focusing on the Chief Minister himself for suspected money-laundering, in collaboration with Michael Chia and Richard Christopher Barnes, that will make it most difficult now for Musa Aman to continue to shrug off this matter, as if it was mere invention.
Over the past days Aman and his supporters have operated a strategy of total denial, issuing statements accusing Sarawak Report of producing made up stories, false evidence and forged documents.
They have maintained this stance, even though neither UBS nor the Hong Kong and Malay authorities have been prepared to take the obvious step of disowning our material, which they clearly would have done if the documents were false.
Now Musa Aman will clearly be obliged to make a further statement to explain his position in the face of this latest development. Is he going to claim that the Swiss prosecutor is also telling lies? Or will he claim that it is the Swiss National Newspaper that has lied about what the prosecutor has said?
He will find such tactics hard, because a separate statement given to Sonntagszeitung by the Swiss Federal Office of Justice has also confirmed that it facilitated the international transfer of the documents provided by the Office of the Attorney General to Hong Kong:
Statement: “I can add that, on 31st March 2011, the Federal Office of Justice transmitted the legal assistance files, as collected by the Office of the Attorney General, to the requesting authority in Hong Kong.” [Translation of statement by Folco Galli, Head of Information of the Swiss Federal Office of Justice, 20th April 2012]
Time for “the Hong Kong authorities to provide details”
In response to these crucial developments the Swiss NGO the Bruno Manser Fund has now issued its own challenge to the Hong Kong authorities to provide further details on the investigation.
Given that the Swiss authorities have indicated that the authority on the case lies with the initiating agency, BMF has requested a full disclosure from the ICAC in its press release today.
And the NGO also signals that it will be calling for a further investigation of the role of the Swiss bank UBS in the whole affair:
“The Bruno Manser Fund asks the Hong Kong authorities to provide details on the results of its investigations, as this is a question of highest public interest at the international level. The Bruno Manser Fund strongly criticizes UBS for allowing timber kickbacks to be laundered through its accounts and is currently examining if the bank’s conduct includes legal offences under Swiss law” [BMF press release, 20/04/12]
More evidence in our dossier on Musa Aman
Meanwhile, Sarawak Report plans to continue the release of further damning documents from its dossier on this case over coming days.
We will also continue to ask why the Malaysian Attorney General, Abdul Gani Patail and Prime Minister Najib Razak have both steadfastly blocked the prosecution of this case against their key political ally the Chief Minister of Sabah?
While the Swiss authorities have cooperated in the investigation, the Malaysians have not.
more.....
- Sep 07, 2012 - Swiss govt ready to freeze Musa’s accounts
- Sep 01, 2012 - Cash payments from timber companies made to Musa's sons
- August 2, 2012 - Money-laundering: Musa under pressure
- July 9, 2012 - Salleh: No need for Musa to step down
- June 23, 2012 - Update on Sabah's Musagate
- June 15, 2012 - Musa stashed US$90 million in foreign banks?
- June 12, 2012 - Musa Aman – UBS AG Bank Faces Criminal Complaint In Switzerland
- April 25, 2012 - Swiss weekly linking Musa Aman to billions stashed
- April 24, 2012 - Musa, under investigation over timber kickbacks worth more than US$90 million
- April 21, 2012 - Clearing out the Borneo Jungle - more profit for Musa Aman?
- April 19, 2012 - Musa funneling money to Swiss bank accounts
- April 8, 2012 - Aman brothers involved in Sabah timber graft?
Would like to hear what ANAK PETAGAS have to say now to defend his master. Normally when a master is under siege it is the ever obedient dog that jump out in defend. Ahem.... just joking lol
ReplyDeleteI doubt you are really joking.
DeleteIf the allegation is true, then wow wow wow how on earth a CM earned so much money? Before joining politic?
ReplyDeleteHe is already rich before joining politics. His family is doing business.
DeleteSemua ini perlu disiasat, andaianyang negatif menjejas imej Musa.
DeleteMusa dah menafikan hal ini, sebelum masuk politik dia mmg dah kaya, dia adalah ahli perniagaaan.
Deletekalau tuduhan ini benar, mengapa tiada dakwaan dilakukan?
DeleteMusa Aman's was a businessman before joining politics, his own father is also a businessman, why is it so surprising that he is so rich?
DeleteMusa is indeed lived up to the title best CEO of Sabah, best in lining his own pockets, that is. He indeed lived up to being biggest vacuum cleaner in Sabah .... Ho Ho Ho
ReplyDeleteIf d allegation is indeed true, how on earth a CM made so much money? He better explain those money are earned before he joined politic!!!
ReplyDeleteThat is about RM300 mil !!!!
Hope the truth is revealed.
Musa knows how to invest and multiply the money. Not like some ex CM who is in debt because of gambling.
Deleteone thing for sure Musa is absolutely smart when it comes to making money.
Deletetidak perlu musa membuang masa melayan tuduhan2 ini..ada perkara yang lebih penting lagi untuk diberi perhatian.
DeleteMusa Aman was a successful businessman before he was involved in politics.
DeleteI had written before that nothing serves the opposition better than running down the CM for the purpose of weakening his political status in the eyes of many.This in a way shows the fear and shivers the opposition has towards the CM himself.They knew his strength,his solid political standing,his influence among the masses and his ability and capabilities of delivering victory to UMNO/BN in the next GE.For this reason they keep on 'digging any skeletons'they can have their hands on and hopefully use them against the CM and deceive the rakyat into believing the unbelievables.
ReplyDeleteThe CM definitely welcomes I think any investigations on his person.Allegations against wealthy politicians are nothing new and so are controversies.Truth and sensations created to bring excitements are two different things.In any case things that stand in public may not necessarily be so in a court of law.
Perhaps the opposition fails to be conscious of the fact that it is nothing wrong to be rich.Romney,the GOP presumptive candidate for President is endorsed by many Republican leaders to be the next President.He is rich and successful in business therefore they need his expertise and organisational skills to better the US as President.Similarly the CM was a successful businessman in his heydays and he has proven that whatever mantles he has to be successful be tranformed into making Sabah a very prosperous and developed state in Malaysia.He is doing it in stages but I am definitely sure that he will prevail.
Sabah needs a CM like Datuk Musa Aman.Never before the State has a capable and hard-working leader like him.Sabahans must rally and support his cause and visions because at this very moment he is an indispensable leader.We need him.The people need him and so is the country.
We should not be distracted by all follies deliberately published as a piece of news to gain readers popularity.A person is innocent until proven guilty and if this kind of basic is unfamiliar to those harbouring ill-feelings toward the CM then they are guilty of their own undoings.
Party members who are highly united will be the key factor in determining victory for BN in the next general election
DeleteMusa's rivals are so desperate to bring him down. Unfortunately, the "mission" won't go anywhere.
DeleteSPRM harus menyiasat mengikuti maklumat dan bukti yang ditedahkan.
DeleteThere is no smoke without fire...Musa has kept his silence all the while and while sucking as much wealth as he can get...My question is how much is enough for Musa to be satisfied??? Do we need such leaders who only suck the rakyat's money for himself? That is the politics of Umno and its cronies...they are never satisfied and what are we going to do about them? think and vote wisely,.
ReplyDeleteWhat makes you think the opposition leaders are so innocent and clean?
DeleteLets the court to answer these.
DeleteThis anak petagas is nothing but a crony of musa. So quick to defend musa. Yes nothing wrong being very rich but show us the proof how you accumulate so much wealth through legal businesses. Musa golden silent only show he has everything to hide.
ReplyDeleteEven if Musa makes his statement, will you believe it? Better keep silent and let the authorities do the investigation.
Deleteits not your business if he is richer than you...it's his luck..
DeleteIf the evidence can bring Musa to court, then believe this issue..If not, all the allegation just desperate strategic from his enemies.
ReplyDeleteTime will tell. He won't escape from the punishment if found guilty.
DeleteKalau ada bukti, pasti Musa akan didakwa. Kamimenunggu perkembangan selanjutnya.
Deletebukti tidak kukuh...
Deletebukti memang banyak kukuh cuma MACC tidak berani ambil tindakan kerana diselindung oleh BN Umno.
DeleteDESPERATE ENEMIES!!!!DESPERATE ENEMIES!!!!DESPERATE ENEMIES!!!!DESPERATE ENEMIES!!!!DESPERATE ENEMIES!!!!DESPERATE ENEMIES!!!!DESPERATE ENEMIES!!!!DESPERATE ENEMIES!!!!DESPERATE ENEMIES!!!!DESPERATE ENEMIES!!!!DESPERATE ENEMIES!!!!DESPERATE ENEMIES!!!!
ReplyDeletewho are we to judge musa based on articles that were posted by sarawak report. Just let the authorities investigate on this matter. If Musa is guilty he would have been brought to court.
ReplyDeleteTidak tahu sama ada bukti Sarawak report benar atau tidak. Siasatan terperinci diperlukan untuk membuktikan kebenaran.
ReplyDeleteberita dari Sarawak report byk meragukan, kita jgn percaya sangat.
DeleteBagaimana bukti ini boleh terkeluar dan diterima oleh Sarawak Report?
ReplyDeleteRakyat harus pandai menilai dan jangan terkena perangkap mainan politik ini.
ReplyDeletelebih baik tunggu dan lihat sajalah.
DeleteSebelum Musa dibicara dan dikenakan tindakan undang-undang, beliau masih tidak bersalah.
ReplyDeleteSPRM pun belum sah kan apa2 mengenai hal ini.
Deletespekulasi macam ini berkepentingan politik saja.
DeleteNot sure is this a politics games or its true that Musa involve in corruption.
ReplyDeleteJust wait until this case can be proven by the related authorities, namely MACC.
DeleteSarawak Report plans to continue the release of further damning documents from its dossier on this case over coming days.
ReplyDeleteSemoga lebih banyak bukti diberikan untuk siasatan lanjut. Jika tidak, Sarawak akan terkena juga perangkap sendiri.
ICAC juga perlu tampil menjelaskan adakah telah menjadi amalan mereka mendedahkan dokumen sulit siasatan kepada penggiat media?? adakah pegawai2 mereka terlibat dengan penjualan dokumen siasatan??
Deleteisu ni hanya dimainkan di media saja, tiada pun pendedahan kepada umum dibuat.
DeleteMusa Aman said in a statement that he will give cooperation with the authorities if they wanted to investigate this case.
ReplyDeleteJika SPRM mahu menyiasat perkara ini, sudah tentu Datuk Musa akan membenarkan mereka.
Deleteianya hanya mainan politik semata-mata..
ReplyDeleteya...mungkin jugni hanya mainan politik pihak tertentu saja.
DeleteSarawak report claire remcastle brown is part of Mi6 British Spy agency plan to re-colonize Malaysia. demonize the BN leaders and then let foreign-controlled DAP and PKR take over Malaysian and Sarawak governments..
ReplyDeletePlease show your proof. No proof = Not true.
DeleteTidak tahu dari mana Sarawak Report mendapat maklumat macam itu? Tidak pasti lagi sama ada 'source' ini dapat dipercayai ataupun tidak?
Deletemasih tiada bukti yang benar-benar kukuh, jadi ni hanyalah khabar angin saja.
ReplyDeleteTunggulah dan lihat sama ada SPRM akan mendedahkan kebenaran mengenai kes ini.
DeleteMy own opinion this is probably the only certain strategy to topple Datuk Musa Aman. Because we know Datuk Musa is clean with all the personal problems. That is why corruption is linked with Datuk. Because this issue is easily created by their selfishness. But it will not undermine the people's support to him.
ReplyDeleteUntil the MACC can prove that these so-called evidence are true, these are only fit for the gossip column.
DeleteWe don't need listen with what the opposition say. What the opposition say is just to attract people to support them. So please think the best for our future. Why we need change out govt, if we look the current govt still relevant and can solve any problem related.
ReplyDeleteWhat should we know is that opposition will do anything for ensure that they can take over the govt. So defamation, rumors, lie and else is the opposition strategy. So be careful with this trick.
ReplyDeleteThat actually happened with the current opposition media who just love to give a variety of negative issues related to the government. It happen with this issues. So is not true what had post to media.
ReplyDeleteSemua ini cuma permainan yang direka oleh pembangkang untuk menjatuhkan Datuk Musa Aman. Apa yang pasti kita perlulah menilai sendiri mengenai pelbagai isu yang dibangkitkan. Semua ini pasti ada sebab tersendiri yang dibuat oleh pembangkang. Datuk Musa Aman yang mana lebih memberikan yang terbaik kepada Sabah menyebabkan ada pihak yang tidak suka akan usaha dan kejayaan beliau.
ReplyDeleteBayangkan saja Datuk Musa dapat menyelamatkan Yayasan Sabah daripada bankrupt. Maka kita lihat usaha yang dibuat dan perancangan yang terbaik beliau lakukan. Maka sebagai penduduk Sabah kita perlulah menilai sendiri perkara ini dan jangan memandang satu pihak saja.
ReplyDeleteBuat apa kita percaya dengan berita ini jika tidak ada bukti yang dibawa ke mahkamah. Sedangkan Media tidak ada mengadili seseorang itu. Ini kerana semua itu terletak ditangan mahkamah untuk membuat keputusan. Media hanya tahu memberikan berita sama ada yang buruk, yang tidak benar dan tanpa ada bukti yang benar. Itulah yang sebenarnya berlaku dengan media pembangkang sekarang yang hanya suka memberikan pelbagai isu negatif yang berkaitan dengan kerajaan.
ReplyDeleteMedia alternatif seperti Sarawak Report tidak mencukupi untuk mengesahkan seseorang itu salah, kecuali mendapat pengesahan daripada pihak mahkamah ataupun SPRM.
Deletedari dulu lagi lagi kononnya 'under investigation' tapi sampai sekarang tidak ada apa2 pun yang berlaku..
ReplyDelete