SHAFIE DETAINED
WARISAN president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal was detained after turning up at the MACC office in Kota Kinabalu yesterday for the graft-busters’ probe into the mishandling of federal funds for Sabah. Meanwhile, the former rural and regional development m
AVILA GERALDINE AND OLIVIA MIWIL KOTA KINABALU avila@nst.com.my
DATUK Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal has been detained by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in its probe into the mishandling of federal funds for Sabah’s rural development projects.
Shafie, who is Parti Warisan Sabah president, had earlier presented himself at the Sabah MACC office to give his statement to aid the investigation.
His arrest was confirmed by MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner (operations) Datuk Seri Azam Baki.
The former rural and regional development minister arrived at the Federal Administration Complex here yesterday at 5.15pm.
He was accompanied by his wife, Datin Seri Shuryani Shuaib, Warisan vice-president Datuk Peter Anthony, Warisan Youth chief Datuk Mohd Azis Jamman, Warisan secretary-general Loretto Padua Jr and counsel Martin Tommy.
Some 100 party members were present to show support.
Shafie was called up by MACC to facilitate its probe into the alleged mishandling of federal funds meant for rural development projects in Sabah between 2009 and 2015. The probe revolves around 70 road projects, as well as water and electricity supply in the interior of Sabah.
Asked how he was feeling, the Semporna member of parliament smiled and said: “Well, we will assist (in the investigation)”.
On whether he was ready to be quizzed, Shafie’s wife said: “Of course, he is ready”.
Shafie, who arrived from Kuala Lumpur at 3.30pm, was seen entering MACC’s office at 5.20pm.
A MACC source said a Warisan member, a 47-year-old engineer, was also called in and detained at the commission’s office at 2.45pm.
Earlier, at his home at Taman Golf View, Shafie said he was willing to cooperate as he understood it was a process of law.
“Whatever it is, they have their ways and means of doing things. I know MACC will do its job, and I hope it will be done well.”
Shafie had previously told reporters he was prepared to be called in by the graftbusters and that he would assist in the commission’s investigation.
Last week, Warisan vice-president Junz Wong had said deputy president Darell Leiking would lead the party’s administration if Shafie were to be detained.
The New Straits Times had front-paged an exclusive report on Oct 4 about senior government officials and corporate figures siphoning off federal funds meant for Sabah.
Since Oct 5, MACC had remanded nine individuals, including Warisan and Umno leaders, in Sabah and a former deputy undersecretary (infrastructure) of the Rural and Regional Development Ministry, Norhartaty Rahmat, in Putrajaya.
Those arrested in Sabah were Shafie’s two younger brothers — Silam Umno chief-cum-Lahad Datu assemblyman Datuk Mohd Yusof Apdal and businessman Hamid Apdal, Anthony, Azis, Tenom Umno Youth chief Jamawi Jaafar, Tawau Umno Youth chief Ariffin Kassim and businessman Yu Sin Kong. Yusof is on remand while the others have been released on MACC bail.
Page 1 pic: Parti Warisan Sabah president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal arriving at the Sabah Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission office in Kota Kinabalu yesterday.