Latest news with #MohdShafieApdal
The Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Shafie denies NPL write-off allegation
KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal strongly denied allegations that he was involved in the write-off of RM178mil in non-performing loans (NPLs) during his tenure as Sabah chief minister and Sabah Development Bank (SDB) Board of Directors' chairman. The opposition Parti Warisan president described the allegations published by an online portal as 'malicious and baseless', asserting that not a single NPL was written off under his watch. 'These accusations are outright lies, manufactured with the intent to deceive the public and destroy my credibility,' he said in a statement on Thursday (June 19). Shafie clarified that as chief minister, he had no involvement in the day-to-day operations or specific loan arrangements at the bank. 'Public institutions must be governed by professional processes, not political interference. I respected those boundaries and expected the bank's management to uphold their fiduciary duty to the people of Sabah,' he said. He slammed what he called 'calculated distortions' designed to smear him ahead of the looming state election, adding that the claim he wrote off loans to a politically connected firm, CASH Bhd, was entirely untrue. 'In fact, during my administration, I took every step necessary to recover problematic loans, not cover them up. Writing off NPLs recklessly would have been irresponsible and a betrayal of public trust,' he said. Shafie also questioned why the current Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government, which has been in power for nearly five years, failed to launch a forensic audit or lodge reports with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in 2021, when the issue supposedly occurred. 'If wrongdoing really occurred, why wait until now to bring it up? This is not about justice, but about politics. This is a desperate attempt to shift blame and distract from their failures,' he stressed. Shafie warned that he will not hesitate to take legal action to protect his name and integrity. 'I welcome any impartial investigation. But I will not remain silent while lies are repeated and recycled for political convenience,' he said.
The Star
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Warisan candidates who betray party will face RM10mil penalty, warns Shafie
KOTA KINABALU: Warisan candidates contesting in the upcoming Sabah state election who act against the party's direction will face a RM10mil penalty, says Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal. The Warisan president said this was part of the party's move to ensure only committed individuals are chosen to contest, especially in critical seats. "All candidates fielded this time, if they make any move that is not in line with the party's direction, I will sue them – RM10mil. "We cannot allow candidates to win under our banner and then jump," he said when met by reporters after his visit to the site of a recent fire at Kampung Dopo, Petagas, Tuesday (June 17). Warisan won 23 seats in the 2020 Sabah Election but saw its strength significantly reduced after 10 of its assemblymen defected to other parties. The party later gained two former DAP representatives from Elopura and Sri Tanjong and now holds 14 seats in the Sabah state assembly. Meanwhile, Shafie said Warisan had closely studied the electoral roll. "We're looking at the trends – their age, where they're inclined, what they like. More than 65% of voters now are young people," he said.
Daily Express
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
UMS water crisis warrants MACC probe: Shafie
Published on: Friday, June 06, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jun 06, 2025 Text Size: Shafie called for transparency in investigating the contractors and water concessionaires involved in the area, questioning their track record and whether contracts were awarded transparently. Kota Kinabalu: Warisan President Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal wants the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to investigate the prolonged water crisis at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), describing the situation as 'a national shame.' The water shortage has left more than 23,000 students and staff at the public university struggling with basic necessities for days, forcing them to queue with pails to bathe and purchase bottled water while trying to focus on their studies. Advertisement 'The prolonged water crisis at UMS is no longer just a local issue but has become a national shame,' Shafie said. 'When students at a major public university are forced to go days without clean water to drink, cook and bathe, it reflects a deep failure in governance and planning and shows no compassion,' he said. The university relies on the R13 tank that also serves Hospital Likas and nearby commercial zones. When water levels fall below 0.5 meters, the entire system fails. Despite numerous reports and letters to the Sabah Water Department, Shafie claimed no formal action has been taken. Adding to the controversy, the Department publicly said that water supply was sufficient, a claim later contradicted by UMS Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kasim Mansur. 'This raises serious doubts about transparency and internal accountability within the Department,' Shafie said. He said nearly five years have passed since GRS took power with no meaningful progress on resolving the water crisis. 'If real planning had been done, no student would be living through water shortages in 2025,' he said. Shafie called for transparency in investigating the contractors and water concessionaires involved in the area, questioning their track record and whether contracts were awarded transparently. 'I therefore call upon the MACC to investigate who the contractor or water concessionaire is in this area. What is their track record? Were contracts awarded transparently? Is there corruption or mismanagement at play? 'If the Sabah government has nothing to hide then it should have no issue welcoming the investigation by the MACC,' he added. The water crisis has prompted student protests, with many forced to seek alternative housing arrangements while dealing with the basic necessity shortage. 'It is no wonder the students are protesting because they are demanding basic human dignity. Water is not a political game. It is a human right,' he said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Star
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Warisan support extends beyond Sabah's east coast, says Shafie
SANDAKAN: Parti Warisan's influence is not confined to Sabah's east coast despite holding most of its state seats there, says its president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, who asserts the party continues to have support across the west coast and interior. He dismissed the notion that Warisan is now only strong in its traditional east coast base, stating the party still has a presence in areas like Sepanggar, Darau and Moyog despite the exit of several assemblymen. "The strength of Warisan is not only in the east coast. We had YBs from Sindumin, Bongawan, Papar and Kudat who left the party. "But we also have representation in Moyog, Sepanggar and Darau. So how can Warisan be seen as only having strength in the east coast?" he said. Shafie was speaking after the Sabah Youth Dialogue Session on the Future: Education, Employment, Economy, held at Sandakan Hotel on Saturday evening, which drew around 400 youth participants. At the last state election in 2020, Warisan won 23 state seats. However, the number dropped following several defections and the death of its Bugaya assemblywoman later that year. Currently, the party holds 14 seats in the state assembly following the entry of two former DAP assemblymen from Elopura and Sri Tanjong. Shafie said he remained confident in Warisan's grassroots support, especially after his recent visits to Tungku, Lahad Datu, Sandakan and Tawau. "Insyallah, we still hold the most seats in the east coast. I believe we can defend them. But we must not be complacent. We pray for strength from Allah SWT and work hard to ensure Warisan continues to partner with the people and becomes their choice," he added.
Daily Express
14-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Shafie voices concern over heavy reliance on oil and gas
Published on: Thursday, May 15, 2025 Published on: Thu, May 15, 2025 Text Size: 'If prices stay low, Sabah could lose hundreds of millions in revenue which is enough to wipe out the projected RM24 million surplus and push the state budget into a deficit,' Shafie said. Kota Kinabalu: Warisan President Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal expressed concern about Sabah's heavy reliance on oil and gas revenue, which accounts for over 40 per cent of projected income. 'The State Government's calculations are based on an oil price of USD76 per barrel, but current prices hover around USD60. 'If prices stay low, Sabah could lose hundreds of millions in revenue which is enough to wipe out the projected RM24 million surplus and push the state budget into a deficit,' he said. He also noted the State's alarming unemployment rate of 7.9 per cent in the third quarter of 2024 (highest in Malaysia) representing over 170,000 jobless Sabahans. 'We want to work together with the rakyat to save Sabah so our children can inherit a future filled with hope and a Sabah we can all be proud of,' he said in a statement, Wednesday. He accused the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Government of mismanaging the State's record RM6.4 billion budget for 2025, claiming it has failed to address the fundamental issues facing Sabahans. Shafie said despite having a budget twice the size of Selangor's and six times larger than Penang's, Sabah remains the poorest state in Malaysia. 'Despite the record budget, Sabah remains the poorest state in Malaysia. Eight out of the 10 poorest districts in the entire country are in Sabah,' he said. 'If the economy is really growing as GRS claims, why are people still struggling to find jobs?' he said. He said employed Sabahans continue to face wage stagnation with median monthly earnings increasing by just RM18 from RM1,864 in Q1 2023, while food prices remain the highest nationwide. Shafie said half of Sabah's workers earn less than RM2,000 a month. He also raised concerns about child welfare in Sabah, pointing out that one in four Sabahan children under five is stunted, the highest rate in Malaysia. 'This reflects a failure in nutrition, rural healthcare and education. The GRS government has failed to plan for the next generation,' he said. He also expressed concern over recent corruption cases in the education sector, including a school principal in Kudat charged with making false claims amounting to RM85, 000 and two education officers remanded for allegedly receiving bribes tied to school maintenance contracts worth over RM600,000. 'These cases reflect a failure in governance. The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has repeatedly reported misuse of funds and false claims in Sabah's education system but GRS has done little to fix the system or hold those in power accountable,' he said. Additionally, he criticised the State Government for what he described as wasteful spending on publicity events while neglecting essential infrastructure and services. 'All across Sabah, we see and experience water cuts and murky supply, frequent electricity outages disrupting homes and businesses, crumbling roads riddled with potholes that isolate rural communities and skyrocketing prices of basic goods that continue to hike the cost of living.' * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
