KIMANIS – Parti Warisan Sabah president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal has denied receiving any money from 1 Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) while still in Umno.
The former Umno vice-president also denied a recent claim that he and the Malay ruling party’s former deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin were the biggest beneficiaries of any donation received by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak as “false and absurd” and demanded federal Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz provide proof.
“This is a bit absurd that it comes from a senior minister. As far as I know, Najib never gave me any money from 1MDB.
“I really want to know what Nazri is claiming we are the bigger recipient of, and what bank account of mine did he deposit it into,” Shafie told reporters when met at function here yesterday to welcome some 1,000 new members into his new party.
The Semporna MP insisted that he had never even spoken to the prime minister about such funding, except for one time with regards to a circular offering sponsorship “for anyone who wanted to travel for umrah for up to five people, but that is a few thousand ringgit per person”.
The former rural and regional development federal minister said it did not make sense for him to question the source of funds if he were a major recipient.
He also said he had asked “a lot of questions about 1MDB” while in the federal Cabinet and ticked off Nazri for trying to dispel attention by claiming another to be the “bigger recipient”.
“My God, this is a false and absurd claim by a senior minister.
“I remember when I raised the questions on 1MDB, Nazri was seated next to me. He gave me a thumbs up, but discreetly, not to be seen. He said it was good that we asked those questions. I’m surprised at these characters in politics that he is raising this now.
“If I was a recipient, I definitely wouldn’t question it,” Shafie said.
During a tell-all session with the Umno Overseas Alumni Club members in Kuala Lumpur last Sunday night, Nazri admitted to receiving funds from a controversial RM2.6 billion donation received by the prime minister for their party to use during the general election.
However, the Padang Rengas MP and Umno supreme council member claimed both Shafie and Muhyiddin received more.
Shafie and Muhyiddin were dropped from the federal Cabinet last year, presumably for their criticism of how the 1MDB matter was being handled and the RM2.6 billion deposited into the prime minister’s personal accounts.
However, Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali has since said the money was a political donation and cleared Najib of any wrongdoing.
Meanwhile, Shafie welcomed some 1,000 new members into his Sabah-centric party, with some claiming to be from Barisan Nasional component parties like United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Organisation, including its Kimanis division chief Tailin Mainan.
“This is a very good sign for us and we welcome everyone to fight for the party’s struggle. I hope our Warisan members won’t be overconfident and continue to work hard,” Shafie said.
– Malay Mail
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