Shafie Apdal called up by MACC for questioning in graft probe

KOTA KINABALU - Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) president Shafie Apdal has been summoned by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to give his statement in relation to the agency’s investigation into the alleged misappropriation of RM1.5 billion in rural development funds in Sabah.

It was reported that Shafie is flying to Kota Kinabalu today in response to the MACC’s request. He is expected to give his statement today or tomorrow.

FMT has learnt that Shafie will arrive at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport at 3pm today and that a programme by the party’s Wirawati wing has been cancelled because of Shafie’s impending questioning.

Shafie’s younger brother Hamid Apdal was released on bail today after being remanded in the same investigation.

Hamid’s son-in-law is also expected to be released from remand today while another younger brother of Shafie, Lahad Datu Umno assemblyman Yusof Apdal, is currently still under remand.

It was earlier reported that the MACC was still scrutinising some 70 projects out of an original list of 350 under the ministry of rural and regional development for suspected embezzlement.

The projects were planned to be carried out between 2009 and 2015 – when Shafie was the minister — in Kota Kinabalu, Kudat, Kota Belud, Ranau, Beaufort, Keningau, Lahad Datu, Tawau and Sandakan.

The RM1.5 billion was said to be part of RM7.5 billion allocated for water, electricity and road infrastructure development projects.

Some RM170 million in bank accounts and assets of the companies involved in the projects were reported to have been frozen.

Opposition leaders have claimed the investigation was politically motivated to smear the image of Warisan ahead of the 14th general election but Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and MACC denied this, saying the agency operated independently.

• Yusof Apdal remanded for four days in Sabah graft probe