UMNO Lahad Datu assemblyman Yusof Apdal’s remand over the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s probe into the alleged embezzlement of RM1.5 billion has been extended another two days.

Yusof, 57, who is Umno Silam chief and the younger brother of Warisan president Shafie Apdal, had been remanded for four days beginning October 18.

 Prosecuting officer Mohd Faliq Basiruddin, who represented the MACC, had requested for a seven-day remand order from magistrate Cindy Mc Juce Balitus, but she only approved a two-day order.

“(Yusof) will be investigated as the court also received a medical report confirming he is fit to be questioned in MACC lock-up,” Faliq said outside the court today.

On October 17, Yusof was held and remanded for four days over the case that has entwined not only Shafie, but another brother, Hamid, as well.

Hamid had been arrested on October 10 and remanded for five days.

Yesterday, Shafie was remanded for four days, but was still undergoing treatment at Hospital Queen Elizabeth.

Yusof’s appearance in court was attended by more than 100 of his supporters, many of who came from the branch in Silam, more than 400km from Kota Kinabalu.

They gathered near the court house from as early as 10am, wearing red clothing, carrying the Sang Saka Bangsa and Umno flags and shouting, “Free Datuk Yusof” and “Datuk Yusof is innocent”.

Yusof is being represented by Edward Paul and Peter Lee while the MACC is being represented by Faliq and deputy public prosecutor Rustam Anip.

Shafie, the former rural and regional development minister, was arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission after giving his statement pertaining to its probe into the RM1.5 billion in government funds allegedly siphoned off while he was a federal minister.

Besides the three brothers, others implicated in the case include Warisan deputy president Peter Anthony, Warisan Youth chief Mohd Azis Jamman, Umno Tenom Youth chief Jamawi Jaafar, Umno Tawau Youth chief Ariffin Kassim and a 52-year-old businessman in Sabah.

Yesterday, Warisan media chief Amarjit Singh was remanded for four days. – October 21, 2017.