This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on October 20, 2017

KUALA LUMPUR: Former rural and regional development minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal has been arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to facilitate investigations into the alleged embezzlement of some RM1.5 billion worth of funds for rural projects in Sabah, according to Bernama.

The national newswire reported that the 60-year-old was arrested at 9pm after he went to the Sabah MACC office to give his statement on the case, which involved the siphoning off of some RM1.5 billion worth of funds from rural projects in aid of the poor. The Semporna member of parliament arrived at the MACC office at 5.15pm.

The report said MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Azam Baki, when contacted, confirmed the arrest, but refused further comment. Mohd Shafie is expected to be taken to court for remand application.

Earlier, Mohd Shafie, who is now president of opposition party, Parti Warisan Sabah, told a press conference at his residence that he would give full cooperation to the MACC for the investigation into the case.

“We will give them our full support. I know the MACC are just doing their job. So, do it well,” he was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, a civil engineer, who is also a company consultant, Amarjit Singh, was also arrested at 2.45pm yesterday, right after he gave his statement on the case at the Sabah MACC office.

The arrest of the former minister and the engineer brought the total number of individuals detained by the MACC in connection with the alleged fund embezzlement case to 11.

The report said two of the individuals were Mohd Shafie’s younger brothers Datuk Yusof Apdal, who is Lahad Datu assemblyman, and Hamid Apdal. So far, eight of the individuals have been released on MACC bail.

Mohd Shafie, previously a vice-president of Umno, quit the party on July 4 last year after saying he was no longer in line with the leadership in Umno.