Datuk Yusof Apdal
KOTA KINABALU: Lahad Datu assemblyman Datuk Yusof Apdal has refuted Opposition claims that the ongoing Malaysian Anti Corruption Agency’s (MACC) investigation was politically motivated.
The Umno Silam division chief also stressed that he is and will stay loyal to the party and its leaders.
Speaking to reporters from his hospital room at the Jesselton Medical Centre here where he sought treatment after his release on Monday from a six-day remand, Yusof urged his supports to remain calm and not be swayed by talks from the Opposition.
Yusof told reporters that there are people from the Opposition claiming the MACC investigation was politically motivated and that he (Yusof) was a political victim.
“I urge my supporters in Lahad Datu not to be influenced by such claims. MACC wants to get to the bottom of certain matters and the probe had nothing to do with politics,” he said but declined to reveal what transpired during his detention by MACC.
Yusof and his elder brother former Umno vice president and Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal were among 13 detained by the MACC over the investigations into the skimming of RM.15bil worth of federal funds for development projects in Sabah between 2009 and 2015.
“I am loyal to the party, our president Datuk Seri Najib Razak and deputy Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and our Sabah Umno chairman Tan Sri Musa Aman. I will remain with the party to ensure we win the next elections,” he said, adding that the Silam Umno division which has the largest in terms of branches and members in the country was intact and fully supported Umno leadership.
When asked about his relationship with Shafie who now heads Parti Warisan Sabah, Yusof who was in high spirits replied, “We are brothers… what can I say but we don’t agree politically”.
Yusof said that he was prepared to brief Umno’s leadership on the issues pertaining the MACC investigation if requested as the matter was not of a personal nature.
On his health condition, he said that he was diagnosed with a serious hemorrhoid problem that might need surgery and it would take him about a week before he is discharged from the hospital.
“I would also like to say that MACC was very professional during my detention. The officers carried out their responsibility in accordance with standard operating procedures. They also allowed me to seek outpatient medical treatment during the six-day remand,” he said.
Shafie is still in remand until Friday.