MACC logo. Bernama file photo
KOTA KINABALU: The remand order for three politicians into the alleged siphoning of federal funds for rural projects in Sabah have been extended for three more days.
Magistrate Mohd Aizat Abdul Rahim made the decision against Parti Warisan Youth chief Datuk Azis Jamman, 43, Tenom Umno Youth chief Jamawi Jaafar, 43, and Tawau Umno Youth chief Ariffin Kassim, 44.
All three individuals will be remanded further until next Tuesday after they were first detained by the Malaysia Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) for investigation on October 10.
The application for the remand was made by MACC Investigating Officer Mohd Faliq Basiruddin at the magistrate court at 10am today.
They are being charged under Section 17A of the MACC Act 2009.
Azis is being represented by lawyers Martin Tommy, Loretto J Padua, Cedric Choo, Norazmi Alimat, Jaikol Situn and Darell Leiking.
Jamawi is being represented by lawyers Azhier Farhan Arifin, Shahlan Jusri, Arthur Bonnie, Mohd Razali Razi and Jafar Esteben, while lawyer Hamid Ismail is representing Ariffin.
Meanwhile, the 52-year-old businessman who was also detained by MACC since October 5 was released on RM200,000 MACC bail with a deposit of RM100,000 with two local sureties.
On Friday, Parti Warisan Sabah vice president Datuk Peter Anthony was released on RM50,000 MACC bail by magistrate Cindy Mc Juce Balitus after his remand expired.
Peter, along with Azis, Jamawi, Ariffin, the businessman, Umno Semporna division member Hamid Apdal, 52, and a 40-year-old former deputy under secretary (infrastructure) from the Rural and Regional Development Ministry were detained by MACC into the alleged siphoning of federal funds for rural projects in Sabah since 2009.
Hamid is the younger brother of Parti Warisan Sabah president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal.