Latest news with #PanglimaMohdShafieApdal
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Shafie denies RM178 million loan write-off allegation, slams political smear campaign
Shafie KOTA KINABALU (June 19): Warisan president Datuk Seri Panglima Mohd Shafie Apdal has categorically denied what he described as malicious and baseless allegations linking him to the supposed write-off of non-performing loans (NPLs) during his tenure as Chief Minister of Sabah and chairman of the Board of Sabah Development Bank (SDB). 'These accusations are outright lies, manufactured to deceive the public and destroy my credibility,' said Shafie in a statement on Thursday. He asserted that not a single NPL was written off under his watch and stressed that all financial decisions were made through the bank's internal processes and credit evaluation protocols. 'As Chief Minister, I was not involved in the bank's day-to-day operations or specific loan arrangements. 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. Shafie also rejected claims that he protected cronies or extended special treatment to politically connected borrowers, calling the allegation a 'blatant lie.' 'The claim that I 'wrote off RM178 million in loans to CASH Bhd' is a calculated distortion,' he said, adding that his administration had instead taken all necessary steps to recover problematic loans, not conceal them. 'Writing off NPLs recklessly would have been irresponsible and a betrayal of public trust,' he said. He accused those behind the allegations of being individuals who previously benefited from politically connected loans and who now seek to distort the truth for personal gain. 'These individuals were never interested in recovery or reform. Their only concern has always been protecting their own pockets and avoiding public scrutiny,' he added. Shafie questioned why the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government, despite being in power for nearly five years, had not acted if wrongdoing had truly occurred. 'Why was there no forensic audit in 2021? Why was no report made to the MACC back then? Why is this issue suddenly being raised now when public trust in the government is collapsing?' he asked. 'It is clear that this is not about justice, but about politics. This is a deliberate smear campaign timed to distract the public as the current government struggles,' Shafie said, alleging the government feared accountability ahead of the coming election. 'In order to create a villain, they have conveniently chosen me,' he said. 'Let the people of Sabah see this for what it is: a desperate attempt to shift blame and divert attention from their own failures.' Shafie concluded by stating he welcomes any impartial investigation and will not hesitate to take legal action to defend his name and integrity. 'The people of Sabah are tired of watching another 'wayang kulit'. They want the truth and honest leadership that puts the people first,' he said.
Borneo Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
RM10 million lawsuit for Warisan defectors, warns Shafie
Shafie listens attentively to one of the fire victims temporarily houed at Dewan Sri Putatan. PUTATAN (June 17): Warisan President Datuk Seri Panglima Mohd Shafie Apdal has issued a stern warning that any candidate fielded by the party in the upcoming 17th Sabah state election who defects will face a RM10 million lawsuit. 'If anyone defects, I will haul them to court and sue them for RM10 million,' said Shafie. 'In this coming election, any candidate I field — if they act against the party or the law — I will take legal action. This is important for us.' Speaking to the media during a visit to the Kampung Petagas and Jalan Bukit Vor fire victims currently housed at Dewan Sri Putatan on Tuesday, Shafie said the party is fully prepared in line with the Anti-Hopping Law passed in 2022. He expressed confidence that Warisan could reclaim the Petagas seat in the upcoming polls. 'We know this area is winnable … but we cannot be complacent or overconfident,' he said. Warisan previously secured the Petagas constituency during the 2020 Sabah state election. However, in February 2023, its assemblyman Datuk Awang Ahmad Awang Sahari left the party to join Gagasan Rakyat. Shafie emphasized the importance of strong, principled candidates and noted that while party machinery plays a role, integrity and leadership matter more. He also highlighted a significant demographic shift: 65 percent of voters now consist of youth, as those aged 18 and above are automatically eligible to vote. 'It is crucial to understand their preferences and the trends they follow. They're not just interested in politics — they want real change. They don't want party-hoppers,' he stressed. While acknowledging that many have shown interest in contesting, Shafie reminded that the election is not just about popularity but about regaining the mandate to govern. 'If we don't adopt the mindset that the people need genuine leadership, Sabah will continue to face many problems,' he warned. Shafie expressed frustration over Sabah's persistent issues, including corruption and water supply failures. 'The money is there — but where has it gone?' he asked. He called for visionary leadership that can deliver real solutions. 'We must listen to the people — not just ourselves. If we only hear our own voices, we're the only ones who feel satisfied.' 'I'm not a millionaire, but I believe leadership is what we need to lift Sabah out of poverty and help the oppressed in this resource-rich state.' When asked if Warisan would contest all 73 state seats, Shafie said: 'We are with the people. We will assess the situation. I will make the announcement at the right time, depending on the political climate.' 'What matters most is that we regain the power,' he said. Regarding the timing of the state assembly's dissolution, he said it is not his concern. 'That's up to the Chief Minister. I don't want to listen to when he'll dissolve (the government) — yesterday, last month — I don't care. What I'm doing is preparing. Don't wait for the rain to come.' Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor recently hinted that an announcement could follow the Gagasan Rakyat General Assembly at the end of July.
Borneo Post
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Shafie calls for MACC probe into Sepanggar water contractor amid UMS crisis
Shafie KOTA KINABALU (June 5): Warisan president Datuk Seri Panglima Mohd Shafie Apdal has urged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to launch an investigation into the contractor or water concessionaire responsible for the Sepanggar area, following the ongoing water crisis affecting Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS). 'What is their track record? Were contracts awarded transparently? Is there corruption or mismanagement at play?' Shafie questioned in a statement issued on Thursday. He said that if the Sabah state government has nothing to hide, it should welcome MACC's involvement. 'Being open to scrutiny is the first step toward solving the real problem. Let us not insult the intelligence of Sabahans by blaming others. If this government still needs to point fingers after five years in power, then it has admitted its own incompetence. Enough is enough. Water is not a political game — it is a human right,' he stressed. Referring to the prolonged water supply issues at UMS, Shafie said the crisis has escalated beyond a local concern and has become a national embarrassment. '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, planning and empathy,' he said. He also pointed out that despite nearly five years under the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) administration, no meaningful progress has been made to resolve this fundamental problem. 'If proper planning had been done, no student would still be facing water shortages in 2025 — certainly not in lecture halls, not in hostels, and not in Sabah.' He highlighted that UMS is not a remote school but a national institution with over 23,000 students and staff who rely on the R13 tank, which also serves Hospital Likas and surrounding commercial areas. Shafie revealed that when water levels in the tank fall below 0.5 metres, the entire supply system fails — yet repeated complaints and formal letters to the Sabah State Water Department (JANS) have reportedly gone unanswered. 'Instead of action, we have only seen denials and deflections,' he said. More troubling, he added, is the discrepancy between public statements made by JANS claiming sufficient water supply, and those of UMS Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kasim Mansor, who contradicted those claims. 'This raises serious concerns about transparency and internal accountability within JANS,' said Shafie. He described the hardships faced by students, who have had to seek alternative housing, spend on bottled water, and queue with pails just to bathe, all while trying to pursue their education. 'It's no wonder the students are protesting. They are demanding basic human dignity. We are not making accusations — we are calling for transparency,' Shafie concluded.
