KOTA KINABALU, Oct 20 ― Parti Warisan Sabah president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal was brought to the court complex here for his remand application while dozens of his supporters gathered outside sang Happy Birthday as he turned 60 today.
It was perhaps one of the most colourful days the court has seen.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had brought the Semporna MP in an ambulance here this afternoon for a remand application after arresting him last night to aid their investigation into a RM1.5 billion embezzling case involving the Rural and Regional Development Ministry he was headed.
Shafie’s wife Datin Shuryani Shaib and their son, Mohd Shezwi Shafie, also brought three birthday cakes to the courthouse and blew out the candles with other family members as a crowd estimated at 300 and gathered some 30 metres away sang the birthday song.
Shafie was put under observation at the Queen Elizabeth I Hospital for high blood pressure measuring 198/120. He arrived at the courthouse about 2.30pm.
He was greeted enthusiastically by supporters, many who dressed up in orange T-shirts.
The supporters moved from the entrance to the court side nearest to where the ambulance was parked some 80m away. They stood outside the gates and chanted phrases like “Sabah Ubah”, “Tangkap Musa”, “Tangkap MO1” and “democracy”.
They also sang Malaysian songs like Sabah Tanahairku in addition to Happy Birthday complete with a Birthday banner.
Among those in the crowd was Parti Warisan Sabah vice-president Junz Wong, its Youth chief Datuk Azis Jamman and Moyog assemblyman Terence Siambun.
At 3pm, he was still seated in the ambulance which was in clear view of the crowd.
