KOTA KINABALU: MACC chief commissioner Dzulkifli Ahmad is to inspect a water plant tomorrow in Semporna, Sabah, in connection with the agency’s probe into alleged embezzlement of RM1.5 billion in rural development funds in the state.

According to the MACC, Dzulkifli will meet with residents said to have been affected by the dysfunctional water plant.

MACC investigators are said to be focusing on the Semporna water plant and Pulau Gaya underwater pipe project at present.

The team is inspecting such projects, executed under the rural and regional development ministry, to determine whether both were completed and are still in use.

The RM45 million water plant in Semporna was demolished and rebuilt but could not function as the river feeding it was said to be too shallow.

There are 350 projects under the ministry being scrutinised by the MACC over allegations of embezzlement of federal funds.

These projects were carried out between 2009 and 2015 in the Kota Kinabalu, Kudat, Kota Belud, Ranau, Beaufort, Keningau, Lahad Datu, Tawau and Sandakan districts.

The RM1.5 billion allegedly misappropriated was out of RM7.5 billion allocated for projects in Sabah, involving water, electricity and road infrastructure development.

Some RM170 million in bank accounts and assets of companies involved in the projects were reported to have been frozen to facilitate investigations.

Seven people, including two top leaders of opposition party Parti Warisan Sabah, are under remand in the probe.

Water projects in Sabah being scrutinised by MACC

Warisan president Shafie Apdal’s brother remanded for 5 days