Is asking about 1MDB disloyalty to Umno, asks Shafie

Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal believes he is still loyal to the party’s cause despite seeking answers on the debts of state investment vehicle 1Malaysia Development Bhd. – The Malaysian Insider pic, August 15, 2015. 

Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said his quest for answers on the debts of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) which got him sacked from Cabinet did not mean he was disloyal to the party.

"My loyalty to the party is not forced," he said of his 30 years soldiering for the party and its cause.

"By asking questions, it does not mean I am betraying the party," Shafie said in his pre-opening address at his Semporna division delegates meeting that was officiated by Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today.

"We (Muhyiddin and him) asked because we want to know.

"The people we represent want to know.

"We, after all, are representatives of the people," he said.

Shafie, who said he was never after positions and riches, said his questioning of 1MDB was because of its effect on the party and the burden members had to deal with.

He said Umno was bigger than any party member and even though he had no position in government, he would continue to strengthen the party and raise all ills that could be detrimental to it.

He said it would be meaningless if leaders fought to protect their position in the party and dare not tackle thorny issues that could affect the party.

"What's the point of fighting for position?

"I am not. But what I fear is when the people reject us because we did nothing to strengthen the party," he said.

He said when he raised questions about the troubled state investor, "I was not afraid of losing my position in the cabinet, if I'm defending the interests of the people".

Shafie said if he was aiming for power and riches, he would have just kept quiet, shut his mouth as he was advised by some party members and "keep the (cabinet) seat warm".

But he told the 2,000 delegates and some 700 observers and guests present that he refused to be cowed by such threats.

"Why is asking about 1MBD wrong?" he said.

Shafie said even though he no longer held any position in government, he would continue to improve the well-being of his people in Semporna.

"I am well aware of the hurdles and challenges before me now. But believe me, I will continue to fight for what should be theirs."

- TMI