KUALA LUMPUR: Former Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal today challenged Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman to state outside of the Sabah state assembly that he was never informed of projects undertaken by the ministry.
During a press conference at the Parliament lobby today, Shafie said Musa's claim that he was in the dark on the matter is untrue, as the Sabah state government was informed of every project undertaken by the ministry in the north Borneo state.
"The implementation of National Key Result Area (NKRA) projects on water supply, electricity and road development in rural areas was planned by the Rural and Regional Development Ministry and all agencies in the Sabah state government.
"Pemandu (the Performance Management and Delivery Unit) facilitated the projects (during Minister in Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Idris Jala’s tenure) and all projects were planned, inspected and decided during Lab NKRA, which was held at IOI Palm Garden in 2009, as well as at MAS Academy in 2013," he explained.
Yesterday, during question and answer time at the Sabah state assembly sitting, Musa responded to Datuk Wilfred Bumburing (PCS-Tamparuli), saying that the ministry dealt directly with state agencies, such as the Water Department, when carrying out projects in Sabah.
According to Musa, the usual practice was for federal ministers to inform the government of projects that their ministries would be undertaking in Sabah.
However, he said: "This former Rural and Regional Development Minister" (he is believed to be referring to Shafie), did not do so, although the Sabah state government had asked repeatedly for such a briefing.”
Shafie said the state government was briefed on all the projects, as well as their implementation.
"A task force chaired by former deputy prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was formed to look into the projects at the time.
"We discussed a lot of issues that were raised. So if Musa says he had no idea whatsoever on this matter, it's a lie," he said.
On a different matter, Shafie also urged Musa to find out the truth regarding a book titled "Money Logging" by Klaus Straumann, who claims that profits gained from logging activities in the state were channelled to a Swiss bank.
The Semporna MP said if the claim is false, Musa should take legal action against the author.
"But if it is true, I urge for the money to be returned to the people of Sabah."