The MACC and its chief Mohd Shukri Abdull must reveal if the ex-staff member of a ministry once helmed by current Sabah Chief Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal, who was found with RM29 million in a bank account, has been freed without charge.
Batu Pahat Umno chief Mohd Puad Zakashi also called on the anti-graft body to reveal if the case was dropped so as to save Shafie from any alleged prosecution.
In a statement, Mohd Puad stated that the then Rural and Regional Development Ministry staff member had been arrested in October last year on suspicion of being involved in the embezzling of public funds to the tune of RM1.5 billion from a Sabah rural development project.
"At that time Shafie Apdal, who is now Sabah chief minister, was the minister.
"The question is, was it true their (the staff) account had RM29 million? How does a Grade 54 officer possess RM29 million in their account? If true...what is the source? Why was this case not investigated under Amla (Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001)?" Puad said in a statement.
Puad, who stressed that the credibility of the new government would be affected if the case had indeed been closed, alleged that the staff member was reportedly willing to turn witness should Shafie be charged.
The former director-general of the Special Affairs Division (Jasa), however, did not specify what Shafie was to be charged with.
"If it is true that MACC, under New Malaysia, is firm on fighting corruption, (its chief must) then step forward 'as a man' and explain what became of the case. Is it true (the staff) was let off to save Shafie?" he questioned.
It was previously reported in October last year that the MACC has frozen RM29 million in a bank account, after RM150 million had earlier been seized in series of raids covering 15 locations in Sabah, in a probe linked to alleged embezzling of a ministry fund.
At the time, authorities did not name the ministry, but a report by The Star claimed it was the Rural and Regional Development Ministry.
Shafie, the former Umno vice-president who is now Parti Warisan Sabah president, had led the ministry from 2010 to 2015.
He was later arrested by the MACC to facilitate the probe into the state’s rural projects. He was released after being remanded for eight days when the court granted an RM100,000 bail.
Malaysiakini has contacted Shukri and is awaiting a response. Malaysiakini is also seeking the response from the former ministry staff in question. - Mkini
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