PARTI Warisan Sabah vice-president Peter Anthony was detained this afternoon at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission office in Sabah, where he had gone to have his statement recorded as graft-busters moved in on those suspected of embezzing millions of ringgit from the Rural and Regional Development Ministry. 

A reliable source from the party told The Malaysian Insight that more would be detained as the MACC investigation progressed.

BorneoToday reported the the businessman-turned-politician was expected to be brought to the Magistrate’s Court tomorrow for a remand order.

Anthony was among several businessmen and contractors in Sabah who were awarded contracts for projects under the Rural and Regional Development Ministry when it was helmed by Shafie Apdal, the president of Warisan, the source said.

Anthony had formerly denied allegations making their rounds on social media that he had made a false claim of RM42 million while undertaking work for Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and that he was under investigation by MACC over false claims.

“I strongly deny the allegations that have gone viral on social media that I am being investigated by MACC for making false claims.

“We have never made any false claims and all payments, including the certificate confirming the completion of the contract from UMS, have been received. So there is no question of us making a false claim,” he said in news reports.

Yesterday, MACC investigators swooped in on 15 locations in Sabah, calling on various business offices and ministry officials as they commenced a probe into alleged embezzlement of government funds.

About RM180 million in cash have been seized so far.

“Although some have been detained, Warisan’s struggle will continue. We can’t let matters like this bring us down,” said the Warisan source.  – October 5, 2017.