According to a source close to the matter, the businessman – whose identity is being withheld – had issued several threats if the PLs were not approved and issued by the state government.

The businessman also insisted that the threats be conveyed to Hajiji.

“He repeatedly stated that if the board did not approve the PLs for his companies, he will issue a press release to bring the entire government down,” the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.

However, if Hajiji approved the PLs, the businessman promised not to “destroy the government” but would give the state administration his full backing, the source claimed.

“Despite the threats, Hajiji stood his ground. He also did not budge despite the businessman offering him money.”

The source went on to say that less than two months later, a video allegedly linking several assemblymen to the mining scandal surfaced.

On Wednesday, Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah Youth said videos linked to the controversy clearly show that Hajiji had decided to revoke a PL due to the existence of a cartel.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission is investigating allegations of corruption involving a businessman and several Sabah assemblymen linked to the alleged scandal.

FMT had previously reported claims by a source that a cartel said to be at the centre of the alleged scandal had applied for approximately 20 prospecting licences between 2022 and 2024.

The PLs would have granted the cartel, said to consist of a businessman and former director of several state agencies, mining rights for sites with a total area size of 1,000,000 acres, the source claimed.