KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman today lambasted Parti Warisan Sabah president Shafie Apdal for using tactics to divert attention from his involvement in a corruption investigation.
Speaking in response to Shafie’s innuendo at the Dewan Rakyat today that he was involved in cronyism, Musa, who is also Sabah Barisan Nasional liaison chairman, challenged the Semporna MP to face the investigation like a gentleman if he is really not in the wrong.
“Shafie should let the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) do its job in investigating the alleged corruption involving the federal rural and regional development ministry during his tenure as minister,” Musa said in a statement.
Musa, who is also Sungai Sibuga assemblyman, said Shafie should be more composed in handling the corruption investigation instead of hurling accusations and trying to implicate others.
“There is no need to act all panicky,” he said.
“There is nothing to fear if you are not in the wrong, like the Malay saying, ’berani kerana benar, takut kerana salah’ (be brave if in the right, frightened if in the wrong).”
Musa said up until now, he had not said a word about the case despite being openly attacked in Shafie’s political ceramah and on social media.
”However, today, I feel compelled to say something because he tried to implicate me in Parliament by saying someone related to me got a project,” stressed Musa.
“I was not even aware of the project in question. I have a large extended family.
“I also can’t stop those who are friendly to Shafie from getting projects.”
Musa said Shafie should be more gentlemanly in his conduct and not use parliamentary immunity and diversionary tactics in his attempt to turn the spotlight away from him.
The MACC had hauled up individuals from both sides of the political divide in its investigation of corruption cases in the country, reminded Musa.
“The issue of this case being politically motivated does not arise because MACC has gone after people from the ruling party in many other cases.”
He said the MACC should be allowed to conduct its official investigation without fear or favour, and certainly without the drama from the people involved in the case.
“Maybe some people have the time to whine and rant all over the place but I do not because I have a state to take care of,” he said.
Earlier, at the Dewan Rakyat, Shafie claimed that the RM48 million Sungai Intan water treatment plant in Semporna, which is under investigation by the MACC, was awarded to a relative of Musa.
The Warisan president said this to refute allegations that the project was linked to his proxy company.
“It was an open tender. The one who got the project was Musa Aman’s ‘anak buah’ (nephew). It’s his company.
“Among others, the consultant for the project is the current secretary of Sabah Umno Youth,” he said during the debate on Budget 2018.
According to Shafie, who is MP for Semporna, the treatment plant was upgraded and completed last year, but it failed to operate due to a shortage of water.
The Sungai Intan water treatment plant was among 70 projects covered in the MACC’s investigation of the alleged misappropriation of RM1.5 billion from funds allocated to the rural and regional development ministry for projects in Sabah.
The projects dated back from 2009 to 2015, a period in which Shafie held the ministerial portfolio.
Shafie also said the treatment plant could not have been implemented without the agreement of both the state and federal governments. -FMT
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