KOTA KINABALU, June 30 -- Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan has denied claims that he received RM1.78 million linked to a mining scandal in Sabah.

He said the allegation, published by a news portal, was baseless and politically motivated by his critics in an attempt to destabilise, smear and topple the current Sabah government, Berita Harian reported today.

"I have never received any funds related to mining applications or any alleged scandal," he was quoted as saying.

He described the allegation as a fabrication by desperate political players trying to interfere with Sabah politics.

"This is a tactic that has been used since the 1960s," he said.

Kitingan, who is also Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) presiden...