Shafie: Still a minister if I’d kept quiet

Umno vice-president speaks up about party members' right to criticise party leaders.

BATU PAHAT: Only Cabinet members, not the Umno supreme council, were told about a USD700 million (RM2.6 billion) “donation” paid into Najib Razak’s personal bank accounts, former rural development minister Shafie Apdal said today.

He said he learned about the “donation” at the last meeting before the Cabinet was reshuffled at the end of last month, at which he was dropped as rural development minister.

“As far as I can remember, we (Umno Supreme Council) were not told of it (donation),” said Shafie, an Umno vice-president, speaking after opening Parit Sulong Umno’s divisional meeting.

“I was only told of the donations in the Cabinet. It was my last Cabinet meeting. But not in the Umno Supreme Council meeting.”

Earlier today, the MP for Johor Baru, Shahrir Samad, had revealed that although the donation were said to be for political purposes, members of the supreme council and state liaison committees were not informed.

The money was believed to have been from funds linked to the government’s controversial investment arm 1Malaysia Development Bhd but the anti-corruption agency had stated that the “donation” had been made by Middle Eastern sources.

Shafie, who has been a critic of Najib Razak concerning 1MDB’s financial affairs, reiterated the stance of deposed deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin that it was important for Umno officials to point out mistakes by their leaders and not merely agree with them.

Muhyiddin had spoken out against apple-polishers and boot-lickers in Umno.

Shafie similarly told Umno members: “We must point out mistakes made by our leaders. We can’t just keep saying ‘yes yes’ and agree with everything. We must point their mistakes for the sake of the people.”

He said he would continue serving as an Umno vice-president to fight for the people’s interests and for the good of the party.

Speaking about his ouster from the Cabinet, he said he had not taken up his ministerial position for his own benefit. “If it’s for my own benefit, saya diam (I would keep quiet), case closed, confirm menteri (confirmed as a minister),” he said in a sarcastic tone.