Yusof Apdal remanded for four days in RM1.5bil probe

(The Star) – Lahad Datu assemblyman Datuk Yusof Apdal (pic) was remanded for four days as part of investigations into the alleged skimming of RM1.5bil worth of rural development projects.

Yusof, the younger brother of Parti Warisan Sabah president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal,  was detained late Tuesday after turning up at the Kota Kinabalu MACC office to give a statement.

He was taken to the court complex here at 10.30am Wednesday.

Magistrate Stephanie Sherron Abbie granted the remand order following an application by Deputy Public Prosecutor Rosanna Abd Hadi for the Malaysian Anti- Corruption Commission (MACC).

Yusof’s family members, including brother Zulkifli, managed to hug him before he was taken into the court room.

Score of supporters, some wearing t-shirts with Yusof’s photo, were seen outside the court compound.

Yusof was detained after he gave his statement in connection with several projects under the Rural and Regional Development Ministry that was headed by Shafie between 2009 and 2015.

Another of Shafie’s younger brother, Hamid, was arrested last week and remains under custody with his businessman son-in-law.

The investigations are focused on 70 projects involving roads, electricity and water supply for rural areas of Sabah.

So far more than 45 people have been questioned since the probe began two weeks ago and nine people have been arrested.

Yusof, who is Silam Umno chief, remained in the party when Shafie left Umno to form Warisan.