KOTA KINABALU, Oct 27 ― 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.
