Businessman remanded over Sabah RM1.5 billion scandal
KOTA KINABALU: A businessman was remanded to facilitate the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) probe into the alleged mishandling of federally funded rural projects in Sabah.
Magistrate Afiq Agoes ordered Manzur Hussein Awal Khan, 33, to be remanded for five days with effect from yesterday.
Investigating officers detained Manzur on Saturday after he was called in to the commission’s office here to give a statement.
Manzur is the eighth individual arrested by MACC, which is investigating the alleged misappropriation of federal funds amounting to RM1.5 billion for rural development projects Sabah.
He is the son-in-law of Hamid Apdal, who is the younger brother of former rural and regional development minister and Parti Warisan Sabah president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
Manzur was represented by lawyer Ariel Christopher Dasan, who stood in for counsel P.J. Pereira.
Meanwhile, Afiq extended Hamid’s remand for another five days. It ends on Friday.
Hamid was detained by MACC on Oct 10 and his initial remand order ended today. He was represented by a team of five lawyers led by Martin Tommy.
According to Tommy, Hamid was experiencing health problems and would be taken to KPJ Hospital here by MACC officers.
Hamid, who appeared weak, remained calm as he was greeted by relatives outside the court.
On Saturday, the New Straits Times reported that MACC had formed two teams, one to look into elements of bribery, and the other — a technical team — to look into whether the projects were carried out accordingly.
A source told NST that the team would gather evidence to determine whether the contractors had made false claims.
On Oct 4, NST broke the story about senior government officials and individuals being targeted in a MACC dragnet in connection with funds allocated for rural development being siphoned off.
On Thursday, MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad said the probe would be extended to other states.
He said MACC had quizzed 45 people, adding that more were expected to be hauled up soon.
Among those arrested by MACC were Parti Warisan Sabah Youth 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 Yu Sin Kong.
Bernama reported that MACC had summoned a businessman with the title “Datuk”, which obtained contracts from the Rural and Regional Development Ministry.
Sources said the businessman borrowed licences from his colleagues by paying RM30,000 for every licence.
“The man borrowed licences to fulfil limited tender qualifying conditions, such as 10 companies for every project being applied.”
MACC deputy commissioner (operations) Datuk Seri Azam Baki confirmed that the individual had been summoned for his statement to be recorded.