KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s Finance Ministry has been told to hand over all relevant documents to Opposition leader Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal over a claim alleging he directed the issuance of a RM172mil bond to settle Sabah Development Bank’s (SDBank) non-performing loans (NPLs).
State assembly Speaker Datuk Seri Kadzim Yahya made the ruling in response to Shafie’s (Warisan-Senallang) request at the end of the assembly meeting on Thursday (July 11).
This followed his review of the Hansard for Tuesday and Wednesday (July 9 and 10) involving Shafie and state Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun.
Kadzim said he was satisfied that the Finance Ministry was merely responding to issues raised by Shafie.
“I also found that there was no malicious intent involved,” he said.
Masidi briefly stood and replied: “I am more than happy (to provide the documents), Tuan Speaker.”
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Earlier, Shafie highlighted that the loans were inherited from the Barisan administration (2003-2018) and were not the fault of his Warisan government (2018-2020) or the current Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) administration.
He also stressed that there was no “new money” involved, only a restructuring of existing loans.
He noted that he checked and counter-checked with the senior officials involved to ensure that they “did not do anything wrong behind my back”.
“They confirmed that I never issued any directive to settle NPLs or raise a bond of RM172mil.”
Kadzim highlighted that the Hansard indicated Shafie had chaired a meeting and did not object to the proposal to raise a sukuk to bail out Sabah International Petroleum Sdn Bhd (SIP).
Shafie reiterated that he had not directed any new bonds or additional funds, and wanted that put on the record so it would not be twisted on social media in the future.
“The paper was not tabled. If it had, there would have been a debate, just like when we table a Bill – it will be debated before being passed.
“I would like a copy of the minutes of the meeting to determine whether or not (what was alleged) took place, but I am sure there was no ‘new money’ or NPLs cleared during my time,” he added.
