Sabah Umno information chief Suhaimi Nasir said the party only found out about the case through news reports.

“How can people say Umno is involved when everything was shared by the ‘whistleblower’ through Malaysiakini? We are just observers and aren’t even sure of the real situation.

“I deny that Umno was involved. We have no clue (about the allegations),” Suhaimi told FMT.

He also warned that the scandal could hinder Sabah from wooing investors, and called for strong action, especially as several state ministers were linked to the allegations.

Academic Tajuddin Rasdi had asked if there were hidden hands involved in the surfacing of the allegations, given that Sabah would hold its state elections next year.

Sabah Umno Youth meanwhile had urged Hajiji Noor to step down as chief minister in light of the scandal, to allow for an independent and transparent investigation to be held.

Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah Youth however said that such calls were baseless as the videos did not implicate Hajiji, the Gagasan Rakyat president.

Last night, Hajiji said his state government had never issued mining leases despite videos implicating assemblymen allegedly discussing bribes for project licences.

In the videos published on Malaysiakini, the purported businessman whistleblower is heard talking about funds given to Sabah officials for mining or prospecting licences.

He is believed to have recorded secret videos demanding his money back from certain assemblymen after the state government allegedly withdrew the licences.

Hajiji said the group behind the videos had applied for leases in nearly one million acres, with a significant portion of this area consisting of totally protected zones, water catchment areas, and conservation areas.

The Gabungan Rakyat Sabah chairman said the videos were only circulated after the group’s application failed.

However, Suhaimi said immediate action such as Hajiji’s resignation was necessary to preserve Sabah’s reputation, warning GRS that it risked losing the people’s trust.