Another brother picked up
Published on: Wednesday, October 18, 2017
Kota Kinabalu: Lahad Datu Assemblyman Datuk Yusof Apdal is the latest to be picked up in connection with investigations into the alleged theft of RM1.5bil worth of rural development projects in Sabah.MACC deputy chief commissioner (Operations) Datuk Azam Baki confirmed the arrest on Tuesday.Yusof is the younger brother of opposition Parti Warisan head Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal and the second of his brothers to be detained. The other is still in custody along with his son-in-law.
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He was arrested at 8pm after being called to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office to give a statement in connection with several projects under the Rural and Regional Development Ministry that was headed by shafie between 2009 and 2015. More than 45 people have been questioned since the probe began two weeks ago.The latest arrest brings the total number of arrests to nine.Meanwhile, the Businessman-cum-younger brother of Shafie lost his attempt to set aside his five-day remand extension. He is currently warded in a private hospital, here, due to health problem, the second to be referred to hospital following their detention.His application against the order to assist in investigations into the alleged abuse of RM1.5 billion in Federal funds meant for rural projects in Sabah was dismissed by High Court Judicial Commissioner Ismail Brahim on Tuesday.
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Ismail found no reason to set aside the order and affirmed the decision to allow the extension by the Magistrate Court last Sunday.Earlier, counsel Hamid Ismail who together with counsel Martin Tommy and Cedric Choo represented the man, among others, submitted that the application by the prosecution was defective as there was no diligence of judicial duty by the Magistrate in allowing the extension and no reason was given by the Magistrate to allow the extension. Therefore, he said, the Magistrate had erred in Law and urged the court to set aside the order.
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In reply, Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Rozanna Abdul Hadi together with DPP Rustam Sanip from Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), contended that she believed the Magistrate had scrutinised all the documents before making his decision.The 52-year-old was earlier remanded for five days on Oct. 11 this year and last Sunday, another five-day extension remand was granted by the Magistrate's Court. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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