SABAH Umno today stepped up its attacks against former minister and party member, Shafie Apdal, branding him a frustrated and power-crazy leader.

Sabah Umno liaison chief Musa Aman said the Parti Warisan Sabah president, who left the party in July 2016, was greedy and power-hungry despite being a federal minister and Umno vice-president then. 

“He had a powerful federal post, and millions allocated to his ministry… why is he only now going around promising various assistance? Why not do it when still in power?” Musa asked during the Tuaran Umno delegates’ meeting today.

“It’s all because of greed and (he was) power crazy.”

Last week, Musa’s brother, Foreign Affairs Minister Anifah Aman called Shafie a traitor to Umno and would likely betray others again if he comes to power.

Musa did not elaborate on Shafie’s so-called “lust for power” but was most likely referring to claims that the former Umno leader had been eyeing the chief minister post.

But after Shafie was sacked as rural and regional development minister in 2015 and his eventual resignation from Umno last year paid put to the attempt to climb the political ladder, Musa said.

“Now he goes around hurling slanders against his former party, making promises everywhere,” said Musa.

He added that Shafie never consulted the state government on provision of aid from his ministry’s allocations.

Instead, Shafie went on approving projects like street lights or treated water supply without the state’s knowledge, adding that some of them turned out to be wasteful like the projects approved in Nabawan, Tenom and Tongod. 

“What’s the use of putting up street lights there, but no power to light them up at nights?”

He said Shafie’s actions showed he had no interest in helping needy Sabahans in contrast to other peninsula-based ministers, who were often eager to help and consulted the state on most matters.

Earlier, division chief Hajiji Noor, who is also Sabah’s local and government housing minister, said Umno Tuaran has approved the resolution to give their undivided support to Musa to continue as chief minister and Umno leader in Sabah. – July 30, 2017.