18 hours ago
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.
