Shafie threatens to sue Tian Chua

Written by Chan Kok Leong, Sharon Tan & Chua Sue-Ann, The Edge  

Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Shafie Apdal today threatened to sue Batu member of parliament (MP) Tian Chua over allegations that the former and his associates had received kickbacks from contractors in exchange for contracts.

When met by reporters in parliament’s lobby, Shafie denied the allegations, calling them “ridiculous and untrue”.

“Can he (Chua) prove that? If he can prove that, bring it to me. If he can’t prove that, I will sue him,” said Shafie, who is Semporna MP.

Asked if he would lodge a police report, the Umno vice-president said he would refer the matter to his lawyers before making a decision.

Chua, who is PKR’s strategy director, made the allegations in a press conference today, claiming that Shafie, Shafie’s brother and three others had acted as brokers to award projects to contractors who were willing to pay some 15% to 20% in commission.

In a statement, Chua also named nine contractors who were allegedly involved in bids for contracts related to a rural electricity supply project in East Malaysia.