Shafie Apdal arrested by MACC

Parti Warisan Sabah president Shafie Apdal has been arrested by the MACC.

Shafie was arrested at around 9pm, more than four hours after he presented himself at the MACC office in Kota Kinabalu to have his statement recorded, according to Harian Metro.

Earlier today, The Semporna MP arrived at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport and immediately proceeded to the MACC office along with his lawyers.

The MACC had sought to record his statement over the alleged misappropriation of at least RM1.5 billion in development funds for Sabah.

Shafie was previously the Rural and Regional Development Minister but was sacked in 2015 after he challenged Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak over his handling of the 1MDB scandal.

In 2016, he was also suspended as Umno vice president, prompting him to quit the party to set up the Sabah-based Warisan in a bid to dislodge Umno from the state.

MACC had previously arrested two of Shafie's younger brothers, Hamid and Yusof in relation to the case.

The graft-busters had also detained a former aide of Shafie's - Umno Youth information chief Jamawi Jaafar - as well as two Warisan leaders, including
its vice president Peter Anthony.

Meanwhile, Warisan deputy president Darell Leiking told Malaysiakini that the MACC have arrested yet another Warisan member today.

Darell said the party had learned of Warisan media representative Amarjit Singh's arrest from the latter's family.

"We don't know why he was arrested," Darrel added.

The RM1.5 billion allegedly siphoned came from a total of RM7.5 billion in funds reportedly allocated for rural projects in Sabah over a six-year period.

MACC is probing some 60 companies that were awarded projects for the supply of water, electricity, and roads to help people in rural Sabah.

The case has been linked to Warisan president Shafie Apdal, who held the rural and regional development ministry portfolio from 2009 to 2015.

Shafie, however, has denied involvement in the scandal.- Mkini