KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) must take immediate steps to restore public confidence by ensuring transparency in its Sabah mining scandal probe, says Sabah Bersatu Women chief Rahimah Majid.

Rahimah said that the commission should provide a public update on the status of investigations involving all individuals named by the whistleblower and urgently introduce external oversight, either through a Parliamentary Select Committee on Corruption or the creation of an Independent Anti-Corruption Ombudsman.

"These steps are essential to rebuild trust. Malaysians deserve full clarity on who is being investigated, and they need to see that no one is above the law," she asserted.

Her remarks follow MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki’s recent statement confirming that at least two individuals are expected to be charged soon in connection with alleged bribery tied to a controversial mining project in Sabah.

However, the whistleblower who initially exposed the scandal claims that at least eight other individuals were involved, raising serious concerns about the completeness of the current investigations.

"The people must be assured that justice is being applied fairly. It’s troubling if only a few individuals are held accountable when more names have reportedly been submitted to the MACC," she said.

She stressed that the scandal extends beyond state-level politics, highlighting it as a national test of Malaysia’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and equal justice.

"Sabahans are watching. Malaysians are watching. Justice must not be selective. This is not just about one case; it is about whether our institutions can be trusted to act impartially," she added.