Covert video an attempt to meddle in Sarawak’s politics – Wan Junaidi

(Sin Chew Daily) – “What they are doing is not appropriate, underhanded, ungentlemanly, unethical and uncivilised. This kind of politics should not happen in Sarawak, we should use appropriate politics to cater to certain issues, not through a sting operation, covert recording and methods”

Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar has described as unethical a covert video produced by Global Witness implicating Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and his family in alleged shady land deals.

Wan Junaidi said the posting of the video clip on YouTube by the London-based non-governmental organisation (NGO) was an attempt by a foreign group to meddle in the state’s politics.

“What they are doing is not appropriate, underhanded, ungentlemanly, unethical and uncivilised. This kind of politics should not happen in Sarawak, we should use appropriate politics to cater to certain issues, not through a sting operation, covert recording and methods,” he told Bernama, here, today.

The video clip, entitled “Inside Malaysia’s Shadow State” which went viral, depicts Global Witness investigators posing as foreign investors recording snippets of their conversation with Taib’s cousins, Norlia and Fatimah Tun Abdul Rahman, and lawyers under the pretext of purchasing Sarawak land for hefty profit.

Wan Junaidi said everyone was aware of the strained relationship between Abdul Taib and his cousin Norlia, whose logging concession was withdrawn by the state government in 1987 or 1988.

Norlia and Fatimah are daughters of former Sarawak chief minister Tun Abdul Rahman Ya’kub, who is Taib’s uncle.