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Corruption Inside Sarawak: Inside Malaysia’s Shadow State

Abdul Taib Mahmud, Chief Minister, Sarawak: Malaysia’s Wealthiest Man?

The Bruno Manser Fund Report on the Taib Family, Sarawak

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Malaysian Insider

Global Witness accepts Taib’s dare to open debate

By Jahabar Sadiq
Editor
April 19, 2013

Taib has dismissed Global Witness’ accusations, saying it had a hidden agenda and that the group had links to opposition parties. — File pic

KUALA LUMPUR, April 19 — Global Witness has accepted Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud’s challenge to a open debate about the activist group’s allegations of corruption, land grabbing and tax evasion in Sarawak shown in its video “Inside Malaysia’s Shadow State” released last month.

In a statement to The Malaysian Insider today, Global Witness said it accepted the invitation from the Sarawak chief minister that was made in The Malaysian Observer online television earlier this month.

“In an interview with the ‘Let’s Talk’ programme on The Malaysian Observer, you challenged Global Witness to a debate on the allegations of corruption, land grabbing and tax evasion shown in the film ‘Inside Malaysia’s Shadow State’.

“We are writing to accept your invitation,” said Global Witness in the letter copied to The Malaysian Insider on the eve of Nomination Day for Malaysia’s May 5 general election.
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Global Witness also gave the long-serving Sarawak chief minister four conditions to ensure an “open and transparent” debate.

The conditions are:

● A guarantee from the Sarawak and Malaysian governments that Global Witness staff can safely and freely enter and exit the country and Sarawak, that the debate is broadcast live on the Internet and is moderated by an independent professional, and that it take place in front of an impartial public audience, including any members of Malaysian civil society who wish to attend;

● That you provide full disclosure of any directorial or shareholder interests that you or members of your family hold — including through nominees — in companies holding timber and plantation licences, and land titles in Sarawak.

This should include specifying the circumstances by which the Ministry of Resource Planning and Environment arrived at the decision to direct Sarawak Forest Department and/or Sarawak Land and Surveys to issue the said licences and land titles;

● That you provide full disclosure of assets in offshore jurisdictions of which you and/or your family are beneficial owners;

● That you provide full disclosure of any legal cases or financial dealings that have involved the lawyer Alvin Chong acting on behalf of you or the Sarawak government’s interests.

Global Witness accepts Taib’s dare to open debate

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