Former Umno minister Shafie Apdal has questioned those who are pointing the finger at the Rural and Regional Development Ministry during the time he was at its helm, over the alleged misappropriations involving the Sabah Water Department’s RM3.3 billion federal allocation.

“It is quite perplexing and amusing that the state authorities are in a haste to plead their innocence publicly and diverting the blame to the Rural and Regional Development Ministry when the investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is still ongoing.

“Making such statements publicly seem to show that the state authority has no respect nor confidence towards the process of the investigation by the MACC,” said Shafie in a statement today.

He was responding to the statement by Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Joseph Pairin Kitingan concerning the questionable awards of project amounting to RM3.3 billion, in relation to the recent arrests of two state senior government officers for alleged graft.

“It was indicated that the project was awarded in 2010 during my tenure as the minister in charge of the Rural and Regional Development Ministry. It was also indicated that the projects were not handled by his ministry,” said Shafie.

Pairin is also the state infrastructure development minister.

“I shall reserve my comments on this matter as I believe that we must not interfere or be seen to be interfering with the ongoing investigation by making public statements and pleas of innocence, to ensure the integrity of the investigation by MACC is not compromised,” said Shafie.

He said that regardless, if so requested to assist in the investigations, he is more than willing to cooperate and will give his assistance in any manner that he can.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission allegedly seized more than RM114.5 million from raids at the offices and homes of the two suspects. Authorities are also looking into the assets owned by the duo as well as that of companies linked to them and their relatives.

Meawhile, Sabah’s Umno MP Raime Unggi also echoed Pairin, though he specifically urged the MACC to expand its investigations to include the federal ministry and its minister.

“This abuse of power happened in 2010 and it would be appropriate for the MACC to also investigate the minister and senior officials of the federal ministry involved,” he said in a statement.