ONGOING graft investigations into the Rural and Regional Development Ministry in Sabah is political assassination, Parti Warisan Sabah president Shafie Apdal said. 

He also denied owning the 15 companies that are being investigated for colluding with officials from the ministry to embezzle millions of ringgit.

Shafie said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) investigation into the ministry, which he once headed, was “political assassination” and an attempt to destroy him.

“This has been happening since I left Umno,” he told reporters at Kota Kinabalu airport upon arrival from Kuala Lumpur today.

Parti Warisan Sabah vice-president Peter Anthony was detained yesterday afternoon as part of MACC’s investigations into the alleged misappropriation of almost RM180 million in ministry funds by officers and private firms.

Shafie, who left Umno in July last year, said investigations into ministry’s projects in the state began as the MACC made progress in another case involving the Sabah Water Department (SWD) last year.

Shafie said he would give his full cooperation if MACC called him for questioning.

Earlier today, Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi said the probe had no political motives and yesterday’s swoop on 15 locations had been planned for some time.

In the SWD investigation, MACC in October last year seized RM52 million in cash stashed in various places, including the homes and offices of two senior department officials. It reportedly took 15 hours to count the money.

Also seized were nine luxury vehicles, 94 luxury handbags, jewellery and luxury watches.

In December, three people were charged at the Kota Kinabalu Sessions Court with laundering RM61.48 million and owning luxury goods from illegal activities.

Shafie quit Umno after falling out with Prime Minister Najib Razak over alleged scandals involving 1Malaysia Development Bhd.

He was rural and regional development minister from 2009 to 2015, and is still Semporna MP.

He started Parti Warisan Sabah in October last year.

Shafie’s arrival in Kota Kinabalu today was greeted by around 100 supporters.

He will attend an event at the Lok Kawi mosque. – October 6, 2017.