PARTI Warisan Sabah (Warisan) vice-president Peter Anthony was remanded today for five days to facilitate investigations into the embezzlement of RM1.5 billion in federal funds meant for rural development projects in Sabah.

A 54-year-old contractor was also remanded for the same number of days.

Magistrate Stephanie Sherren Abbie approved the remand order requested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) at the Kota Kinabalu court this afternoon.

Anthony was arrested yesterday after giving his statement to the MACC.

He had been 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.

Earlier today, MACC deputy commissioner for operations Azam Baki said the RM1.5 billion was part of the RM7.5 billion in federal funds allocated to Sabah from 2010 to 2016 for water and electricity supply projects.

Anthony was represented by a team of three lawyers, Martin Tony, Loretto Padua Jr and Cedric Choo, while the MACC investigation officer applying for the remand was Mohd Faliq Basiruddin.

A group of Warisan supporters were at the courthouse at 8am today but were told by court officials that the remand application would only be done at 2.30pm.

The court building became crowded again after lunch when Anthony arrived, in an orange MACC lock-up shirt and handcuffed, at 2.45pm.

They cheered as he stepped out of the MACC vehicle. – October 6, 2017.