Shafie arrived at the MACC office at the Sabah state federal administrative complex yesterday to give his statement. ― Bernama photo
KOTA KINABALU: Parti Warisan Sabah president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal celebrated his 60th birthday under Malaysia Anti Corruption Commission (MACC)’s remand.
The former Rural and Development Minister will be remanded for four days, starting today (October 20), for investigation into the alleged siphoning of federal funds worth RM1.5 billion for rural projects in Sabah since 2009.
Shafie was initially detained at the MACC office at the State Federal Administrative Complex on Thursday, but was later transferred to Queen Elizabeth Hospital 1 (QEH I) due to health problem just before midnight.
Around 2.40pm, Shafie was taken to the Kota Kinabalu court in a hospital van for his remand order.
He initially came out from the van but was immediately ordered back in when more then 300 of his supporters started chanting his name from outside the court.
They were not allowed to enter the court due to security reasons.
Parti Warisan Sabah deputy president Darrell Leiking, when asked to comment on Shafie’s condition, said the former is tired and restless after returning from Kuala Lumpur on Thursday prior to his detention.
“He was then interviewed for three hours by MACC before he was taken to QEH I.
“He requested to be discharged from hospital but doctors decided to admit him due to high blood pressure,” said Leiking.
When asked for the reason Shafie refused to be admitted to hospital, Leiking said Shafie was more concern of other patients in hospital.
“He knows that if he is being warded, it will cause some disturbance to other patients due to the number of people guarding him,” said Leiking, adding that their lawyers will try to request for the court to allow Shafie to complete his remand in hospital while being administered by doctors.
The situation at the KK court was overwhelming when Shafie’s supporters started chanting his name and sang birthday song for him under the rain.
His wife Datin Sri Shuryani Shuaib, son Mohd Shazwi and several relatives also blew out birthday candles and cut birthday cakes on his behalf.
At one point, Shuryani walked over to the hospital van, requesting to see her husband but was denied the request by authorities.
Shafie was finally escorted to the Magistrate’s room at 3.15pm where he was order to be remanded for four days before Magistrate Cindy Mc Juce Balitus.
About two hours later at 5.15pm, Shafie emerged from the Magistrate’s room and was immediately escorted back to the hospital van where he was taken back to QEH I.
According to Shafie’s lawyer, Martin Tommy, doctors found Shafie unfit and need to be placed under doctor’s observation.
Shafie is represented by Tommy, Leikin, Lorreto Padua Jr, Hamid Ismail, Cedric Choo and Norazmi Aliamat.