KOTA KINABALU – Sabah Opposition leader Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal was released from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) custody after eight days in remand while the graft authorities investigate RM1.5 billion federal fund embezzlement under his former ministry.
The Parti Warisan Sabah president is the last of the 13 individuals — consisting politicians, businessmen and former officials in the Rural and Regional Development Ministry — who were rounded up this month for investigation.
Shafie had headed the ministry from 2009 to 2015, the period corresponding with the investigation.
Magistrate Cindy McJuce Balitus issued the release and ordered bail at RM100,000 with RM80,000 deposited with two local sureties.
Lead counsel Martin Tommy said that Shafie will be brought to the MACC headquarters here to process the documents for his release before going for Friday prayers.
Shafie, in a white shirt and uncuffed, nodded when asked by reporters if he intended to attend Parliament, but said he will go for a medical check-up first.
It is unclear when he will fly to Kuala Lumpur to attend the sitting.
Shafie was arrested last Thursday night when he turned up at the MACC Office and was remanded the following day.
In the investigation looking into 70 projects in Sabah between 2009 and 2015, others who were arrested included Warisan vice-president Datuk Peter Anthony, a Sabah-based construction company owner, a former deputy secretary from the ministry, Warisan Youth chief Datuk Mohd Azis Jamman, Tenom Umno Youth chief Jamawi Jaafar, and Tawau Umno Youth chief Ariffin Kassim, Shafie’s younger brother Hamid Apdal, Hamid’s 37-year-old son-in-law Manzur Hussein Awal Khan, Lahad Datu Assemblyman Datuk Yusof Apdal, a water engineer and Warisan Putatan secretary Amarjit Singh and Shafie’s former private secretary Izhar Idrus and press secretary Zamri Maulan.
All have been released.
Meanwhile, party supporters numbering at about 400 came to show their support to the leader today.
Shafie sets sight on budget debate
MEANWHILE, according to Malaysiakini:
Parti Warisan Sabah president Mohd Shafie Apdal has been released after being detained for a week by the MACC.
He posted a RM100,000 bail today following a bail hearing before Magistrate Cindy Mc Juce Balitus in Kota Kinabalu this morning.
According to Warisan deputy president Darell Leiking, Shafie has much to catch up on after spending eight days behind bars before heading to Kuala Lumpur to join the Budget 2018 debate.
“He is well and wants to focus on ending the BN regime come the next general election.
“He will join the Budget 2018 debate next week. That is for certain,” said Leiking, when asked on Shafie’s immediate plans.
According to several reports, the MP for Semporna arrived in court wearing a white shirt at about 9.30am and was greeted by shouts of ‘release Shafie’ from supporters who were gathered outside the court area.
Shafie was arrested on Oct 19 as part of a MACC dragnet in Sabah related to allegations that funds meant for rural development projects were misappropriated between 2009 and 2015.
Apart from Warisan leaders, several Umno figures, including Lahad Datu lawmaker Yusof Apdal, were arrested briefly as well.
– Malay Mail / Mkini
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