Magistrate Cindy Balitus allowed the remand for Parti Warisan Sabah Youth chief Azis Jamman, Tenom Umno Youth head Jamawi Jaafar and Tawau Umno Youth leader Ariffin Kassim.

Azis was represented by a legal team led by Martin Tommy while counsel Hamid Ismail acted for Ariffin.

Arthur Borine led the legal team for Jamawi while Mohd Faliq Basirudin appeared for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

Jamawi’s counsel Shahlan Jufri said the MACC had applied for a seven-day remand but it was objected to by the detainees’ lawyers.

Azis was arrested after MACC officers went to his house in connection with the investigations.

It was earlier reported that 350 projects under the rural and regional development ministry were being scrutinised by the MACC over allegations of embezzlement of RM1.5 billion in federal funds.

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

The RM1.5 billion was said to be part of RM7.5 billion allocated for water, electricity and road infrastructure development projects.

Last week, the MACC also remanded three men, including Parti Warisan Sabah vice-president Peter Anthony, for investigations. Peter was detained after presenting himself at the MACC office on Thursday to have his statement taken.

Today, Peter’s remand was extended by three days.

Magistrate Cindy Balitus made the order, effective today, following an application by MACC.

Peter’s lead counsel Martin Tommy said MACC had applied for an extension of seven days but the magistrate awarded three, taking into account his health condition. Tommy declined to state what the medical condition was.

Local businessman Yu Sin Kong, who had also been remanded for five days in the probe, had his remand extended by four days.