Shafie’s MACC remand extended by four days
KOTA KINABALU: Par ti Warisan Sabah president Datuk Seri Shaf ie Apdal’s remand was extended for four days from yesterday to facilitate the Malaysian Anti- Corruption Commission’ s( MA CC) investigation.
Magistrate Cindy McJuce Balitus allowed the application for the extension of the remand for the former Rural and Regional Development minister here.
Deputy Public Prosecutor, Rustam Sanip said they had applied for an extension of seven days but was only granted four days.
Shafie was arrested on Oct 19 when he turned up at the MACC Sabah office to offer assistance on investigation into the alleged embezzlement of funds involving RM1.5 billion for rural projects in Sabah. He was then remanded four days from Oct 20.
One of his lawyers, Martin Tommy Durasim, when met after the proceedings yesterday, expressed surprise at the extension of the MACC’s remand.
“I am surprised that the remand has been extended for four days. We didn’t expect that he will get four days extension because he has cooperated fully with MACC. He has completed giving all the statements, did all that was necessary, specific documents that MACC asked from him are ready to be handed over to them.
“And, being a Member of Parliament, he has to attend pa rl i ament e specia l ly so for the tabling of the budget (on Oct 27). These are the things we have informed the court and I think the court has considered all this. He has fully cooperated and despite him not feeling well the other day, he actually decided to come to court,” Martin said.
Shaf ie arrived t he court house at 11.10 am yesterday and was taken to the High Court for the judicial hearing of his revision against his remand issued by the Magistrate’s Court on Oct 20.
Shafie was seen wearing the orange MACC lock-up T- shirt but was not handcuffed. His arrival was greeted by loud cheering from Warisan’s leaders and members who had gathered at the public park outside the court house since 8.30am.
Meanwhile, Sh afie’ s younger brother, Lahad Datu assemblyman Datuk Yusof Apdal, was released unconditionally yesterday after being under MACC remand for six days.
Prosecuting of f icer Faliq Basirudin said Yusof was released on MACC bail of RM100,000 with RM50,000 deposited in two sureties.
Magistrate Cindy McJuce Balitus issued the release at 10.05 am. The assemblyman also has to report to MACC office once a month.
Yusof was arrested by the MACC on Oct 17 and remanded six days starting from Oct 18.