MACC TO EXPAND PROBE INTO RM1.5 BILLION GRAFT CASE

SEMPORNA: The Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission’s (MACC) probe into the mishandling of federal funds will be extended to other states to expose corrupt practices in projects meant for rural development.

Its chief commissioner, Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad, said the commission would first focus on its investigation in Sabah.

“We are looking into more than 70 projects in the state involving RM1.5 billion, but we will expand our probe to cover projects under the Rural and Regional Development Ministry in other states,” he said in Kampung Sungai Intan here yesterday.

He said the commission had quizzed 45 people, with more to be hauled up soon.

On whether Parti Warisan Sabah president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal and his younger brother, Datuk Mohd Yusof Apdal, were among those to be called in next, Dzulkifli did not confirm or deny.

Yusof is Silam Umno division chief and Lahad Datu assemblyman.

Dzulkifli rubbished claims by Parti Warisan Sabah vice-president Junz Wong, who described MACC probe into their leaders as “political intimidation”, and said the commission was not after political parties.

“It involves mishandling of government funds. It is not only Warisan members who are arrested, but also those in Umno.

“We arrest based on statement and evidence. We are not looking at the political angle. This is beyond political parties.”

Since Oct 5, MACC has detained six individuals in Sabah and a former ministry deputy undersecretary in Putrajaya.

Those arrested in Sabah were Shafie’s younger brother, Hamid Apdal, Parti Warisan Sabah Wira chief Datuk Mohd Azis Jamman, Parti Warisan Sabah vice-president Datuk Peter Anthony, Tenom Umno Youth chief Jamawi Jaafar, Tawau Umno Youth chief Ariffin Kassim and businessman-contractor Yu Sin Kong.

They were among the 45 quizzed by MACC. A source close to the investigation said most of them were company owners in Sabah.

Earlier, Dzulkifli inspected the Sungai Intan water treatment plant here, which is one of the rural development projects being investigated by MACC.

He was briefed by Kampung Sungai Intan steering committee member Yusrie Yusup.

The RM45 million project, completed in 2015, was supposed to supply clean water to the people of Kampung Sungai Intan and other villages nearby.

“However, treated water has yet to reach the people.

“Some get supply only twice a week while others rely on groundwater from wells,” Dzulkifli said.

“MACC represents the people and we must ensure that government officials carry out their duties responsibly. Funds from the government should reach the people. Enough if enough.”

On June 21, 2015, Shafie, who was then rural and regional development minister, inspected the water treatment plant, which was reportedly 97.27 per cent completed at that time.

It was reported that the plant had a water production capacity of six million litres a day. The construction of the plant commenced in 2013.

The Borneo Post, on June 22, 2015, reported that Shafie had wanted Sungai Intan to be deepened to supply raw water to the plant. Construction of the booster pump house for the plant was still ongoing.

Shafie, who is Semporna member of parliament, had also said the Sabah Water Department would apply for an allocation under the 11th Malaysia Plan and had instructed the contractor to deepen the river.

Early this week, a MACC source said the water treatment plant had not benefited the people and the river was shallow.