Probe Taib on claims in book, urges NGO

Mkini

A Sarawak NGO has lodged several police reports against state governor Abdul Taib Mahmud after the release of a new book that made corruption allegations against him.

Gerakan Anak Sarawak (Gasak) said it had lodged 13 police and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) reports against Taib, who was state chief minister for 23 years.

The book, entitled ‘Money Logging: On the Trail of the Asian Timber Mafia’, alleges Taib was involved in corrupt practices in the timber industry when he headed the state as chief minister and resource planning and management minister.

The book is authored by Swiss-based Bruno Manser Fund executive director Lukas Straumann (right).

Gasak spokesperson Romould Siew who led a delegation to make the reports, said the allegation was serious and could affect the image of Sarawak and Malaysia.

“We believe the allegations in the book has basis as the author had done detailed research about the assets of Taib and his family, not only in Sarawak, but also overseas,” he said in the report.

Gasak chairperson Abun Sui Anyit said the reports were lodged at the Miri district police headquarters and Miri MACC branch.

The book was launched in Kuala Lumpur last Friday.

Taib’s lawyers have since moved to block the book, stating that it is “highly defamatory” of the former chief minister, and threatening to take legal action against those who carry it.

In a letter to UK book distributor Amazon, lawyer Mischon de Reya said the book “is based on an entirely false and highly damaging premise”.

“”Given the wealth of our client and the extreme seriousness of the allegations, the losses will be substantial,” he said.