Diharap Pakatan Rakyat dapat memulihkan ketidakadilan sosio ekonomi Sarawak

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Logging industry

The involvement of Taib and his family in logging industry is specifically mentioned in a report published by Forests Monitor. According to the report, the chief minister reserves his right to revoke timber licenses while no legal challenge is possible against the chief minister. This is to ensure that the anyone with logging interest is loyal to the chief minister. The report also notes that in general, mutually beneficial relationship between political elites and logging companies often results in corruption, bribery, and transfer pricing, where the financial details of transnational logging companies, including Malaysian ones, are difficult to track. Based on a book written by Michael Lewin Ross, the political insecurity of Taib Mahmud from 1986 to 1991 has enabled him to accelerate the pace of logging in Sarawak. Taib is reported to have used timber concessions for personal and family enrichment.

In 2007, The Japan Times reported that nine Japanese shipping companies, which transported timber from Sarawak, had allegedly failed to report some 1.1 billion yen in income over a period of up to seven years. The report claimed the money was paid as kickbacks to Sarawak officials via a Hong Kong agent linked to Taib's family. Taib, however, denied totally the Japan Times allegations by presenting a 10-page clarification in the state assembly. He said that he had no knowledge about the bribes given to Sarawak officials and the evading of the income from timber production.

In 2008, Indonesian newspaper Tribun Pontianak revealed that around 30 shipments of illegal Indonesian logs was imported into Sarawak and re-exported to other countries every month. Chief minister Taib Mahmud and the company Hardwood Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned unit of state agency Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC), was implicated in this timber scam.

In 2009, the Malaysian 2008 annual auditor-general's report labelled the forest management in Sarawak by state government as unsatisfactory. However, Sarawak's Second Minister of Planning and Resource Management, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan questioned the validity of the report as he claimed that the auditor-general's department did not have the expertise in forest management.

The results of the logging industry under Taib is that less than 10% of Sarawak's primary forests remain, logging many of the ancestral lands of many of Sarawak's indigenous communities, despite their continued petitions and road blockades, where forceful dismantling has led to several deaths and regular violent coercion by the Malaysian army, police and logging industry enforcers.

Nepotism

Taib's son, Dato Sri Mahmud Abu Bekir Taib, was appointed as Group Executive Director of Cahya Mata Sarawak Berhad (CMSB) on 23 January 1995. He is currently the Deputy Group Chairman of CMSB. Abu Bekir Taib's siblings, Datuk Seri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Taib, Jamilah Hamidah Taib, Hanifah Hajar Taib and his late mother Laila Taib are substantial shareholders in the company. Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Taib joined the board of CMSB when his brother Abu Bekir Taib, first became the Group Executive Director of CMSB. Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Taib was the Group Chairman of CMSB from May 2002 until June 2006, the former Non-Executive Director of CMSB, and the former RHB Bank chairman.

In the 2008 general election, Taib's son Datuk Seri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Taib won the Kota Samarahan seat in the Malaysian parliament previously held by his father and became Deputy Tourism Minister in the new cabinet. Prior to this, he did not have any political experience. On 14 December 2009, he resigned his deputy minister post due to personal reasons.

Taib's sister Roziah Mahmud is one of the most powerful businesswomen in Sarawak with extensive holdings in property and timber business. Besides that, she was also appointed as the Hononary Consul of the Republic of Poland to Sarawak (as Taib's late wife Laila Taib was a Polish descendant).

Taib's brother, Mohd Tufail bin Mahmud is the co-owner of Sanyan Group, one of the Sarawak's biggest timber companies. In 2001, the Sanyan Group completed its construction of the 28-storey Wisma Sanyan in Sibu where the state government took up 8 office floors.

Achi Jaya Shipping is owned by Onn Mahmud and his immediate family. Onn Mahmud is Taib Mahmud's brother. Achi Jaya Shipping is alleged to continue demand payment from Japanese log carriers for transporting wood from Sarawak although the payments are actually kickbacks as stated in 2007 timber kickback scandal.

Taib's brother, Mohamad Arip bin Mahmud was appointed as a director of Jaya Tiasa Holdings Berhad (controlled by Rimbunan Hijau Group) on 13 April 1995. Taib's sister is also one of the Tiong's business partners.

Taib's cousin, Abdul Hamed Sepawi is the chairman of Naim Holdings Berhad, Sarawak Energy Berhad, and Ta Ann Holdings Berhad. He was also on the board of Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corp and Sarawak Plantation Berhad.

Taib's brother-in-law, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Haji Abdul Aziz Bin Dato Haji Husain, was appointed state secretary by Mahmud in 2000 and when he retired in 2006, he was appointed as the group managing director of Sarawak Energy Berhad since 2007.[58] He also holds directorships for Eksons Corporation Berhad, Mlabs Systems Berhad, Syarikat SESCO Berhad and other companies.

Taib Mahmud, denying any wrongdoings, told Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) that he did not ask anybody to do his sons a favour for the positions in CMSB and other companies. He also insisted that his family made money through their own hard work.

Economic domination

Cahya Mata Sarawak Berhad (CMSB), the company controlled by Taib's family, was awarded various government contracts including the maintenance of Sarawak's roads over 15 years, constructions of roads, supplying roofing materials for low-cost housing units, building hospitals, and upgrading airports. It also has a near monopoly of the supplies of concrete in Sarawak. In 2001, the Malaysian federal government allowed the CMS Group's banking unit Bank Utama to acquire RHB Bank to become one of Malaysia's 10 core banks. The company, PPES Works (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd, which is 51% owned by CMSB, recently completed the construction of the New Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Building in 2009. CMSB is currently under the joint venture with leading aluminium producer, Rio Tinto Alcan (RTA) to develop aluminium smelter in Similajau as part of the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE).

A doctoral thesis written by Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) lecturer, Dr Neilson Mersat, alleged that Taib's family wealth comes mostly from Sarawak state government contracts without tender, and profits were sent overseas to hide them. Another lecturer in the faculty of Social Sciences at UNIMAS, Andrew Aeria, wrote a thesis which claimed that CMSB takeover of Bank Utama and other companies is an example where highly-profitable business are only favoured between well-connected individuals. The privatisation of state-owned companies deprived the state government of sources of income, thus raising the burden of taxpayers.

In 2000, the Sarawak cabinet had approved RM 551.02 million state contract to be awarded directly to Titanium Management Sdn. Bhd. Taib's son, Mahmud Abu Bekir Taib is a major shareholder in the company. This contract allowed Titanium to repair or replace 384 old bridges in the state in 7 years. The Malaysian 2006 auditor general report stated that agreement in the contract was favouring the contractor. There was a cost overrun of 72% from the original cost. A survey conducted by auditor-general department on 12 sites of the bridges discovered that the design of bridges over narrow rivers do not meet actual needs and were not built economically.

In 2008, the Sarawak government planned to build 12 dams in Sarawak in order to meet the future energy demand of industrialisation. These dams are scheduled to be completed in 2020 although they need to be approved by environmental impact assessment. A memorandum of understanding was already signed between the Sarawak Energy Berhad and China Three Gorges Project Corporation on Murum Dam project.

A total of 51 dams may be constructed by the year 2037. This controversial hydroelectric project is receiving fierce criticism because of catastrophic disasters that they may cause and the possible displacements of native communities. The opponents of the plans cited this project as corruption and capital cronyism because CMSB is expected to be benefited indirectly by supplying concrete material for the construction of dams and building of aluminium smelter that consume much of the generated electricity. In March 2009, Al Jazeera's '101 East' English programme was aired where the Sarawak's 12 dams issue and economic domination by Taib's family was discussed in great detail. Minister of Land Development, Dato Sri Dr. James Masing accepted the interview on this issue but the Chief Minister Pehin Sri Taib Mahmud declined the interview invitation.

James Masing, in an interview with Al Jazeera English, maintained that the contracts were awarded in a transparent manner either in open or closed tenders. He said that the state government give the contracts based on the previous good track record of the companies, not because of the alleged political connections.

Wealth

Taib owns a mansion in Demak Jaya which overlooks the Sarawak River. According to photos in the July to December 2006 newsletter of Naim Cendera Holdings Bhd, Taib's living room is decorated with gilt-edged European-style sofa sets. Taib Mahmud is said to wear double-breasted suits, driving around in Kuching in his cream-coloured Rolls-Royce car.[68] Laila Taib and her children are the majority shareholders of Sitehost Pty. Ltd., Australia, which owns Adelaide Hilton Hotel, according to Aliran Monthly, the reformist Malaysian magazine. Taib was described as "flamboyant with expensive tastes" and had reportedly purchased a piano once belonged to late American showman Liberace for US$2 million. He also wears a ring with a walnut-sized red gem surrounded by small diamonds.

Allegations by Sarawak Report

In the latest expose, Taib is alleged to have established a real estate empire, Sakto Corporation in Canada worth a few hundred million dollars, under the name of his son-in-law, Sean Murray. This company was founded by Taib's brother Onn Mahmud, Taib's daughter Jamilah, and Sean Murray. Sean Murray and Taib's daughter has successfully won the trust of Canadian government departments to move into the their office spaces after an open and competitive lease search. The ORC briefings stated that the facilities owned by Sakto Corporation was "built to high energy and environmental specifications" and "building is green in a number of ways".

Sarawak Report also alleged that Sakti International Corporation in United States which is also managed by the same couple, owns Abraham Lincoln building which houses the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) facility. Taib family is also alleged to own property portfolio in London. Taib Mahmud and his family have not shown any reactions to such allegations made by Sarawak Report.

Industri pembalakan

Penglibatan Taib dan keluarganya dalam industri pembalakan secara khusus telah disebut dalam laporan oleh Forests Monitor. Menurut laporan tersebut, ketua menteri memperuntukan dirinya sebagai pihak yang berhak untuk mengeluarkan lesen balak dan tidak membolehkan undang-undang mencabar ketua menteri dalam hal ini. Ini bertujuan untuk memastikan sesiapa yang mempunyai kepentingan dalam pembalakan akan sentiasa taat kepada ketua menteri.

Laporan tersebut juga menyebut, secara umumnya, hubungan saling bantu membantu antara golongan elit politik dan syarikat-syarikat balak telah berkesudahan dengan amalan pecah amanah, rasuah dan keuntungan atas angin. Di mana rekod kewangan syarikat-syarikat pembalakan antarabangsa termasuk Malaysia sukar untuk dikesan. Berdasarkan buku yang ditulis oleh Michael Lewin Ross, penguasaan politik Taib Mahmud dari 1986 hingga 1991 telah membolehkan beliau melipatgandakan kegiatan pembalakan di Sarawak. Taib dikatakan menggunakan konsesi balak untuk memperkaya diri dan kelurganya.

Dalam tahun 2007, Japan Times melapurkan, sembilan buah syarikat perkapalan Jepun yang membawa balak dari Sarawak telah didakwa gagal untuk melapurkan pendapatan yang sebanyak 1.1 billion yen sepanjang tempoh masa tujuh tahun. Laporan itu mendakwa, wang tersebut telah dibayar sebagai imbuhan kepada pegawai-pegawai Sarawak melalui sebuah agen di Hong Kong yang ada hubungan dengan keluarga Taib. Bagaimana pun Taib telah menafikan tuduhan tersebut dengan membentangkan 10 muka surat penjelasan dalam dewan negeri. Dia mengatakan tidak tahu menahu dengan rasuah yang diberi kepada pegawai-pegawai Sarawak dan penyelewengan pendapatan dari pengeluaran balak.

Dalam tahun 2008, Surat khabar Indonesia, Tribun Pontianak mendedahkan lebih kurang 30 kapal membawa masuk balak haram dari Indonesia ke Sarawak dan kemudian diekspot ke negara-negara lain setiap bulan. Ketua Menteri Taib Mahmud dan syarikat Hardwood Sdn Bhd, milik penuh unit agensi negeri Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC), telah terlibat dengan kerja penipuan balak ini.

Dalam tahun 2009, laporan tahunan Ketua Audit Negara Malaysia untuk 2008 melapurkan tahap pengurusan hutan Sarawak oleh kerajaan negeri sebagai tidak memuaskan. Bagaimana pun Menteri Kedua Perancangan dan Pengurusan Sumber, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan telah mempersoalkan kesahihan laporan itu dan mendakwa jabatan Ketua Audit Negara tersebut tidak mempunyai kepakaran dalam bidang pengurusan hutan.

Nepotisma

Anak lelaki Taib, Dato Sri Mahmud Abu Bekir Taib telah dilantik sebagai Pengarah Eksekutif Kumpulan Cahaya Mata Sarawak Berhad (CMSB) pada 23 Januari 1995. Sekarang dia memegang jawatan Timbalan Pengerusi Kumpulan CMSB. Adik beradik kepada Abu Bekir Taib, Datuk Seri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Taib, Jamilah Hamidah Taib, Hanifah Hajar Taib dan aruah ibu beliau, Laila Taib adalah pemegang saham terbesar dalam syarikat tersebut.

Penguasaan ekonomi

Cahya Mata Sarawak Berhad (CMSB), syarikat yang dikuasai oleh keluarga Taib, telah dianugerahkan berbagai-bagai kontrak kerajaan, termasuklah penyelengaraan jalanraya Sarawak selama 15 tahun, pembinaan jalanraya, membekal bahan atap untuk unit rumah kos rendah, membina hospital, dan menaik taraf lapangan terbang. Syarikat ini juga hamper memonopoli pembekalan simen dalam negeri Sarawak. Dalam tahun 2001, kerajaan Persekutuan Malaysia membenarkan unit pebankan kumpulan CMS, Bank Utama untuk menguasai bank RHB untuk menjadi salah satu dari 10 bank induk Malaysia. Dalam tahun 2009, syarikat PPES Works (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd, yang 51% dimiliki oleh CMSB telah menyiapkan pembinaan Bangunan Baru Dewan Perundangan Negeri Sarawak. CMSB juga semasa ini bekerjasama dengan pengeluar utama aluminium, Rio Tinto Alcan (RTA) untuk membangunkan kilang aluminium di Similajau sebagai sebahagian dari pembangunan wilayah SCORE (Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy).

Sebuah tesis doctor falsafah yang ditulis oleh pensyarah Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), Dr Neilson Mersat, mendakwa harta kekayaan keluraga Taib kebanyakannya hasil dari kontrak kerajaan negeri tanpa melalui tender, dan keuntungannya telah dihantar dan disorok ke luar negara. Seorang lagi pensyarah dari university yang sama menulis dalam tesisnya mendakwa, pengambil alihan Bank Utama oleh CMSB dan syarikat-syarikat lain, adalah satu contoh di mana perniagaan yang menghasilkan untung besar hanya dikuasai antara individu-individu yang yang mempunyai hubungan rapat. Penswastaan syarikat-syarikat milik kerajaan negeri telah mengurangkan punca pendapatan kerajaan negeri, kesannya telah menambah beban yang ditanggung oleh pembayar cukai.

Dalam tahun 2000, cabinet Sarawak telah meluluskan kontrak bernilai RM 551.02 juta untuk dianugerahkan terus kepada Titanium Management Sdn. Bhd. Anak lelaki Taib, Mahmud Abu Bekir Taib adalah pemegang saham terbesar dalam syarikat tersebut. Kontrak tersebut membolehkan Titanium membaiki dan menggantikan 384 buah jambatan lama dalam negeri Sarawak selama 7 tahun. Laporan Ketua Audit Negara Malaysia tahun 2006 menyatakan, perjanjian dalam kontrak tersebut memberi kelebihan atau menyebelahi kepada pihak kontrakor. Kos kontrak tersebut telah bertambah 72% dari kos asal. Kajian yang dibuat terhadap 12 jambatan telah didapati rekabentuk jambatan tidak mengikut keperluan sebenar dan dibina secara tidak ekonomik.

Tuduhan oleh Laporan Sarawak

Dalam pendedahan yang terkini, Taib dituduh mempunyai empayar hartanah, Sakto Corporation di Kanada yang bernilai beberapa ratus juta ringgit atas nama menantunya, Sean Murray. Syarikat ini diasaskan oleh abangnya Onn Mahmud, anak perempuannya Jamilah, dan Sean Murray. Sean Murray dan anak perempuan Taib telah berjaya mendapat kepercayaan dari jabatan-jabatan kerajaan Kanada untuk berpindah ke ruang pejabat mereka selepas melalui proses persaingan terbuka. Taklimat ORC menyatakan, kemudahan yang dimiliki oleh Sakto Corporation adalah “dibina mengikut piawaian tenaga dan alam sekitar yang tinggi” dan “bangunan dalam beberapa segi adalah hijau”. Laporan Sarawak juga menuduh Sakti International Corporation di United States adalah juga diurus oleh pasangan yang sama, memiliki bangunan Abraham Lincoln yang menempatkan kemudahan Federal Bureau of InvestigationFBI Keluarga Taib juga didakwa memiliki beberapa harta di London. Taib Mahmud dan keluarganya tidak pernah menunjukkan sebarang maklum balas terhadap tuduhan-tuduhan yang dibuat oleh Laporan Sarawak itu.