In a statement dated Jan 15, uploaded by a former Warisan minister today, SBD said all the files and documents it had submitted to MACC were returned to its office on Jan 13.

“MACC has further confirmed that the investigation did not produce any evidence of wrongdoing under the MACC Act 2009,” said its board of directors.

Former Sabah agriculture and food industry minister Junz Wong, who uploaded the statement on Facebook, pointed out that the RM300 million was a loan to be repaid and not a “gift” or “handout”.

The Warisan vice-president explained that the former state government had cooperated with AirAsia and its subsidiary Our Farm to assist in transporting Sabah’s fresh produce across the globe.

“In the absence of tourism money, agriculture and aquaculture was the next big thing to carry on Sabah’s economy,” he said.

Wong also said Warisan’s plans were put on hold after Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) came into power, and claimed that the ruling coalition was now staying silent on the results of the investigation.

MACC began its probe into SDB’s RM300 million loan to AirAsia last October to establish whether there had been violations of the MACC Act 2009.

It was reported that chief minister Hajiji Noor had ordered a forensic investigation by an independent audit firm into SDB’s purported move, as the funds were allegedly disbursed in a hurry to AirAsia after the GRS administration took over.

Deputy chief minister Jeffrey Kitingan and nominated assemblyman Yong Teck Lee had previously voiced out against the loan being approved by SDB, saying such funds should go to state-initiated projects.