PARTI Warisan Sabah president Shafie Apdal was today remanded for another four days over investigations into graft involving funds from the ministry he used to head.

The Kota Kinabalu magistrates’ court granted the extended remand order to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, which is probing the alleged embezzlement of funds meant for rural development projects.

The Semporna MP will likely miss the tabling of the 2018 Budget in Parliament this Friday.

Shafie’s lawyer Martin Tommy said he was surprised by the court’s decision as Shafie has been very cooperative with the MACC during his four-day detention.

“We didnt expect he would get the four days extension cause he (Shafie) had completed all his statements (to the MACC), given the documents and thumbprinting. He had given his full cooperation to the MACC. 

“He is expected to attend Parliament and this is especially important because it is the Budget tabling. I don’t think he will make it,” he told reporters.

Shafie was remanded for four days on Friday as part of the MACC’s probe into the case that involves RM1.5 billion in projects.

His initial remand order expired today and the extension was granted after the MACC applied for it.

His bid to quash the order for his remand was also rejected by the High Court earlier today, and his lawyer Hamid Ismail said an appeal would be filed.

Meanwhile, about 500 people had gathered outside the Kota Kinabalu court complex to show their support for Shafie.

They shouted “Sabah Ubah” (Change for Sabah) and “Bebaskan Datuk Seri” (Free Datuk Seri), and broke out into song each time they caught a glimpse of Shafie, his wife Shuryani Shuaib or any Warisan leader.

Policemen had to warn the crowd to keep the commotion down, as they could be heard inside the courtroom.

They group was led by Warisan Youth chief Azis Jamman, who also raised RM2,320.20 from among the crowd, to be donated to flood victims in Kota Belud.

The group dispersed at 4pm without any untoward incidents. – October 23, 2017.