Shafie’s ex-secretaries detained

KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has arrested two former secretaries to former rural and regional development minister, Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal to assist investigations into alleged embezzlement of RM1.5 billion in public funds in Sabah.

MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner (Operation) Datuk Seri Azam Baki confirmed the matter when contacted on Saturday night.

“They were arrested in Putrajaya yesterday and remanded for five days until Tuesday to assist in the investigation of the case,” he said.

The RM1.5 billion fund is part of the federal government’s RM7.5 billion allocation through a ministry for the implementation of rural projects in Sabah from 2009 to 2015.

MACC has arrested 13 people to assist in the investigation, including the two former secretaries who worked with Shafie when he was the Rural and Regional Development Minister from 2009 to 2015.

Shafie, a former Umno vice-president, was detained on Thursday night. His younger brothers Lahad Datu assemblyman Datuk Yusof Apdal and Hamid Apdal were apprehended earlier.

The eight others held are five politicans from Warisan and Umno, a construction company owner, a former deputy secretary from the ministry, and Hamid’s sonin-law.

Shafie’s four-day remand ends today and Yusof is due to be released today.

The others except for Hamid’s son-in-law, have been released on MACC bail.

After Shafie was detained on Wednesday, he had sought treatment at the hospital for high blood pressure and hypertension. He has been discharged and brought to the MACC lockup.

On Saturday night, Parti Warisan supporters set up a candlelight vigil for Shafie outside the State federal administrative complex along Jalan UMS here.