‘Amalilio a nephew of Sabah minister’

MANILA, Philippines - Manuel Amalilio is a nephew of the chief minister of Sabah, who blocked last week his repatriation to Manila where he is wanted for a P12-billion pyramiding scam.   

This is according to Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, who called on his country’s police to “act in accordance with law and not be seen taking orders from political masters.”

“Yes, his mother is Musa’s first cousin,” Anwar told The STAR when asked for details about Amalilio’s ties to Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman.   

“Amalilio’s real name is Kamal bin Said, born in Beaufort, Sabah,” Anwar said. “The mother is Zubaidah Omar, cousin of Chief Minister Musa Aman. Haji Aman (Musa’s father) and Haji Omar (Zubaidah’s father) are brothers.”              

One reason given by Sabah airport police in stopping National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents, at the last minute, from flying Amalilio to Manila is that he is a protected Malaysian citizen.

“Amalilio is married to a Filipina, and holds a Philippine passport,” Anwar said.   

Amalilio is facing court cases for duping last year more than 15,000 Visayans and Mindanaoans in a get-rich-quick scheme of his Aman Futures. He is hot news in predominantly Muslim Malaysia because most of Amalilio’s victims reportedly are from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.  

When President Aquino ordered his arrest last November, Amalilio fled to Sabah, where he reportedly was often seen in public.

Last week the Interpol branch in Malaysia arrested Amalilio, and promptly informed Manila.      

The NBI dispatched a team to pick up Amalilio the other Friday. But the agents came home empty-handed. Sabah police retook Amalilio at the airport minutes before the flight, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said.       

Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, who had helped the thousands of victims sue Amalilio, revealed that no less than Chief Minister Musa intervened for the fugitive.         

In a press conference in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, Anwar demanded an answer why his government is coddling criminals.

He also called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to give full cooperation to Philippine authorities: “We should not be perceived as condoning criminal acts.” The Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman is the younger brother of Chief Minister Musa Aman. Going by Anwar’s expos, Anifah too is an uncle of Amalilio. Anifah and Musa are related to Malaysian Attorney General Abdul Gani Patail, who also hails from Sabah.

All three are close associates of Prime Minister Najib Razak in the ruling UMNO party.

In working for Amalilio’s repatriation, Aquino, Roxas, De Lima, and Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario will be dealing with Musa, Anifah, Patail, and Razak.

Manila has no extradition treaty with Kuala Lumpur. The story grew hotter in Malaysia last Thursday when Anwar issued this press statement: “Blocking repatriation of wanted conman – Follow due process    

“The claim by Philippine Interior Secretary Mar Roxas that Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman has blocked the repatriation of the Philippines’ most wanted conman is most shocking and we demand an explanation.              

“The conman known as Manuel Karingal Amalilio is also said to be Musa’s nephew and going by the name of Mohammad Sufian Said.        

“This is not a petty issue as he is alleged to have cheated over 15,000 people of 12 billion pesos or about RM900 million! Musa must come clean on these allegations. Remaining silent is not an option. “Meanwhile, the Malaysian police must act in accordance with the law and must not be seen to be taking orders from political masters. The idea that our law enforcers are party to any act or conspiracy to harbor criminals is absolutely repugnant and scandalous.    

“I urge the Inspector General of Police to take immediate action to heed Manila’s request and help bring the suspect to justice. Due process must be observed and Amalilio must be given a fair trial. –with Pia Lee-Brago