Candidate · N65 Senallang (2025)
Public-record research, not a finding of wrongdoing. Ratings are analytical opinions. Disclaimer · Request a correction
Current
Overall due diligence
High
Enhanced due diligence required
A long-serving senior office-holder (former Sabah Chief Minister, former federal minister, party president) with an unresolved contempt conviction under appeal, which warrants enhanced checks.
Electoral resilience
High
Recorded wins in every contest from 1995 to 2025 for Semporna and Senallang, with margins ranging from 4,631 to 20,905 votes. In the 2025 state election he won Senallang by 6,837 votes and Warisan emerged as the largest single party with 25 seats.
Political continuity
Elevated
Changed vehicles several times: USNO until 1994, UMNO/BN 1994–2016, then founding WARISAN in 2016 and moving into opposition. Records also show a 2018 post-election dispute in which two individuals were sworn in as Chief Minister.
Integrity signal
Concern
Records show a 2026 sessions court conviction for contempt of court over remarks on the Zara Qairina Mahathir inquest, with a five-week jail sentence stayed pending appeal to the High Court. No financial or corruption charges appear in the records.
Financial / corporate
Open
The records contain no company-registry, asset-declaration, credit or court-registry material. The only business-related item is a report of complaints from local companies whose livelihoods he said were affected.
How much due-diligence attention each area needs — not a finding of wrongdoing.
Former Sabah Chief Minister and federal minister, sitting MP and state assemblyman, and president of a national-registered party.
Leads WARISAN with 25 state seats and is negotiating seat pacts with KDM and STAR and cooperation terms with national parties.
Held executive office at state and federal level and has publicly addressed claims about the Sabah Pan Borneo Highway contractual arrangements.
No company, GLC or foundation roles are documented in the records provided.
Contempt conviction with a stayed sentence under appeal, plus earlier proceedings in which a rival's challenge to his Chief Ministership was dismissed.
A court conviction on record (contempt of court), with sentence stayed; no regulatory findings are recorded.
No asset declarations, financial statements or registry data are included in the records.
Recurrent press coverage of his remarks on an inquest, on foreign-run businesses in Semporna, and on highway contracts.
Reported that the Kota Kinabalu coroner's court allowed the Attorney-General's Chambers to begin contempt proceedings, and that the Papar sessions court convicted him and imposed five weeks' jail.N1N3N6N5
Status: Convicted; stay of execution granted pending appeal to the High Court; the AGC had also said it would pursue contempt action if interference were proven.
The High Court in Kota Kinabalu decided he remained the legitimate Chief Minister and dismissed the suit challenging his position.N18N16
Status: Dismissed in his favour (7 November 2018).
The records cover a long parliamentary and executive career: repeated election wins since 1995, federal ministerial office 2009–2015, and the Sabah Chief Ministership 2018–2020, now combined with the WARISAN presidency and a 25-seat state bloc. The main due-diligence attention point is legal rather than financial: a 2026 contempt-of-court conviction for comments on an inquest, with sentence stayed pending appeal. Corporate, asset and financial-transparency areas remain entirely uncovered by the records, so no view on those is possible. Overall the profile merits enhanced due diligence on the legal matters and registry-level checks.
Public-record review · allegations ≠ findings · a charge is not a conviction · every point links to its source record (E official results, R reviewed records, N collected reports). Prepared by AI from the records on this page; not an analyst finding, and it can be wrong.
Specific pledges this politician made, and what credible reporting since says happened. The status is assessed by AI from the linked reports — each quoted passage is checked against its source. “Unclear” means no credible report of the outcome was found yet, not that the promise was broken.
No specific promises found in credible reporting yet.
According to Wikidata, Mohd Shafie bin Apdal was born on 1957-10-20 in Semporna.
“date of birth: 1957-10-20; place of birth: Semporna”
According to Wikipedia, Shafie Apdal holds a Diploma in Shipping Management from the London Business College and obtained a Bachelor in Economics (Hons) from North Staffordshire Polytechnic, England, in 1992.
“He has a Diploma in Shipping Management from the London Business College (not to be confused with the London Business School). In 1992, he received his Bachelor in Economics (Hons) from North Staffordshire Polytechnic, England.”
According to Wikidata, Mohd Shafie bin Apdal was a member of United Malays National Organisation, 1994–2016.
“member of political party: United Malays National Organisation; start: 1994-01-01; end: 2016-01-01”
According to Wikidata, Mohd Shafie bin Apdal was a member of United Sabah National Organisation, until 1994.
“member of political party: United Sabah National Organisation; end: 1994-01-01”
According to Wikipedia, Shafie Apdal has served as the Member of Parliament for Semporna since April 1995.
“is a Malaysian politician who has served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Semporna since April 1995”
According to Wikidata, Mohd Shafie bin Apdal held the position of Minister of Rural and Regional Development, 2009–2015.
“position held: Minister of Rural and Regional Development; start: 2009-01-01; end: 2015-01-01”
According to Wikipedia, Shafie Apdal was Minister of Rural and Regional Development from April 2009 to July 2015, was elected an UMNO vice-president in 2009 and re-elected in 2013, and was removed from the cabinet in the 28 July 2015 reshuffle.
“On 28 July 2015, Shafie was removed in the Cabinet reshuffle by Najib thus losing his rural and regional development portfolio.”
According to Wikidata, Mohd Shafie bin Apdal was a member of Parti Warisan, from 2016.
“member of political party: Parti Warisan; start: 2016-01-01”
According to Wikipedia, Shafie Apdal founded the Sabah-based opposition party WARISAN, which was approved by the Registrar of Societies on 17 October 2016, and has been its president since.
“he formed a new Sabah-based opposition party known as WARISAN that was approved by Registrar of Societies (RoS) on 17 October 2016.”
According to Wikidata, Mohd Shafie bin Apdal held the position of Chief Minister of Sabah, 2018–2020.
“position held: Chief Minister of Sabah; start: 2018-05-12; end: 2020-09-29”
According to Wikidata, Mohd Shafie bin Apdal held the position of Member of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly, from 2018.
“position held: Member of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly; start: 2018-05-01”
According to Wikipedia, after the 2018 Sabah state election two individuals were sworn in as Chief Minister amid competing claims to the post, producing a constitutional crisis over party switching by assemblymen.
“This situation left Sabah with two ruling Chief Ministers, the second in its history since the dispute between PBS and USNO in 1980s. The results of this events sparks a constitutional crisis in Sabah, and the need to review and change the current constitution so as to curb the "allegiance switching" of assemblymen, after the swearing-in ceremony of the chief minister.”
According to Wikidata, Mohd Shafie bin Apdal held the position of Member of the 16th Sabah State Legislative Assembly for Senallang, from 2020.
“position held: Member of the 16th Sabah State Legislative Assembly; electoral district: Senallang; start: 2020-09-26”
According to Wikipedia, Shafie Apdal announced on 30 July 2020 that the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Juhar Mahiruddin had agreed to dissolve the Sabah State Legislative Assembly to hold a state election.
“On 30 July 2020, upon the political manoeuvring in Sabah, he announced that the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Juhar Mahiruddin had agreed to dissolve the Sabah State Legislative Assembly to hold a state election in his audience with Juhar.”
According to Wikidata, Mohd Shafie bin Apdal held the position of member of the Dewan Rakyat for Semporna (Parti Warisan), from 2022.
“position held: member of the Dewan Rakyat; electoral district: Semporna; parliamentary group: Parti Warisan; start: 2022-11-19”
According to Wikidata, Mohd Shafie bin Apdal was educated at Maktab Sabah, Kota Kinabalu.
“educated at: Maktab Sabah, Kota Kinabalu”
Arrests, charges, convictions, sentences, acquittals and pardons as reported by credible sources. Each item is marked with its stage — a charge is not a conviction — and outcomes are listed where reported.
According to Wikipedia, the High Court in Kota Kinabalu decided on 7 November 2018 that Shafie Apdal remained the legitimate Chief Minister of Sabah and dismissed Musa Aman's suit challenging his dismissal as Chief Minister.
“On 7 November, the high court in Kota Kinabalu decided that Shafie remained the legitimate Chief Minister of Sabah and dismissed a suit made by Musa who claimed his dismissal as chief minister was illegal and against the state constitution.”
Free Malaysia Today reported that the Kota Kinabalu coroner's court allowed the Attorney-General's Chambers' application to initiate contempt of court proceedings against Warisan president Shafie Apdal over comments related to the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir.
“The Kota Kinabalu coroner’s court has allowed the Attorney-General’s Chambers' (AGC) application to initiate contempt of court proceedings against Warisan president Shafie Apdal over comments related to the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir.”
Free Malaysia Today reported that the Papar sessions court convicted Shafie Apdal of contempt of court and sentenced him to five weeks in prison over his remarks relating to the inquest into Zara Qairina Mahathir's death.
“The Papar sessions court has sentenced Warisan president Shafie Apdal to five weeks in prison for contempt of court over remarks in relation to the inquest into Zara Qairina Mahathir’s death.”
Free Malaysia Today reported that judge Amir Shah Amir Hassan granted Shafie Apdal a stay of execution of the five-week jail sentence pending his appeal to the High Court against the conviction.
“However, judge Amir Shah Amir Hassan granted Shafie a stay of execution of the sentence pending the Semporna MP’s appeal to the High Court against his conviction.”
Allegations and investigations as reported by credible outlets. An allegation is not a finding; read each with its stage and source.
Free Malaysia Today reported that Shafie Apdal had questioned the length of time taken for Zara Qairina Mahathir's inquest at an event in Kinabatangan on Sept 20.
“Shafie had reportedly questioned the length of time taken for the inquest at an event in Kinabatangan on Sept 20.”
Free Malaysia Today reported that the Attorney-General's Chambers said it would not hesitate to commence contempt proceedings against Shafie Apdal if it is proven that his remarks had interfered with the inquest into Zara Qairina Mahathir's death.
“Following that, the AGC said it would not hesitate to commence contempt proceedings against Shafie if it is proven that his remarks had interfered with the inquest into Zara's death.”
Free Malaysia Today reported that Shafie Apdal denied terminating the contract of any contractor involved in the Sabah Pan Borneo Highway project, after critics claimed the PDP abolition caused major delays.
“Pengkritik mendakwa pembatalan PDP menyebabkan kelewatan besar projek lebuh raya itu, tetapi Shafie menafikan bahawa beliau menamatkan kontrak mana-mana kontraktor yang terlibat dalam projek tersebut.”
Bernama reported that Shafie Apdal was Sabah Chief Minister and had held the post for 26 months before the Sabah legislative assembly was dissolved.
“during the 26 months Shafie was chief minister, this land issue was never brought up and was not even reported to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).”
Kosmo reported that Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal announced that his party intends to contest 26 seats together with allied parties in the next general election.
“Insya-Allah, kita mahu 26 kerusi dan rakan parti untuk pastikan supaya kita dapat kejayaan dan suara Sabah ini lebih kuat”
Utusan Malaysia reported that Shafie said cooperation with KDM and STAR was based on sincerity and collective strength to bring Sabah's voice more effectively to the federal level.
“Katanya, kerjasama dengan pemimpin dua parti berkenaan berlandaskan keikhlasan dan kekuatan bersama bagi memastikan suara Sabah dapat dibawa dengan lebih berkesan ke peringkat Pusat.”
Utusan Malaysia reported that Shafie said seat allocation should not be discussed at this stage and that priority should be given to candidates with a chance of winning.
““Tidak ada ertinya kita letak calon kalau tidak menang. Kita perlu pastikan siapa boleh menang. Saya tidak perlu bincang perkara (soal pembahagian kerusi) pada peringkat ini. Apa yang penting, siapa yang boleh menang,” katanya.”
Malaysiakini reported that Warisan, led by president Shafie Apdal, won 25 seats in the Sabah state election, making it the biggest single party in the state legislative assembly and the second largest bloc.
“Warisan secured 25 seats in the state polls, making it the biggest single party in the state legislative assembly.”
Malaysiakini reported that Shafie Apdal is a former Umno leader and a former Barisan Nasional cabinet minister.
“Being a former Umno leader, a former BN cabinet minister, and the current CM of Sabah, Shafie Apdal is experienced”
Malaysiakini reported that Shafie Apdal was the Chief Minister of Sabah at the time of the letter's publication.
“Being a former Umno leader, a former BN cabinet minister, and the current CM of Sabah, Shafie Apdal is experienced and is undisputably, most suitable to helm the post of PM.”
The Straits Times reported that Shafie Apdal was removed from the Cabinet by Najib Razak after criticising the 1MDB controversy, left Umno the following year to form Parti Warisan Sabah, and was appointed Sabah chief minister after Warisan and its Pakatan Harapan partners won the 2018 state election.
“He was swiftly removed from the Cabinet by Najib, and he left Umno the next year to form Parti Warisan Sabah, as Dr Mahathir returned to mainstream politics and formed Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).”
Malaysiakini reported that Shafie Apdal said Warisan will keep pushing for unity among Sabah-based parties and a Sabah-led political front, while accepting cooperation with national parties in Kuala Lumpur on the condition that Sabah is governed by Sabah parties.
““We can work with national parties in Kuala Lumpur, but Sabah must be governed by Sabah parties,” he insisted.”
Free Malaysia Today reported that Shafie Apdal, the Warisan MP for Semporna, raised concerns in the Dewan Rakyat about Chinese nationals opening businesses in his constituency, prompting the tourism minister to set up a task force.
“He was responding to concerns Shafie Apdal (Warisan-Semporna) had raised about Chinese nationals opening businesses in his constituency, which is known for its dive resorts.”
Free Malaysia Today reported that Shafie Apdal is a former Sabah chief minister and said he had received complaints from local companies whose livelihoods were affected.
“The former Sabah chief minister said he had received numerous complaints from local companies as their livelihoods were affected.”
Free Malaysia Today reported that, according to Sin Chew Daily, Shafie Apdal had urged the Sabah government to act against Chinese nationals operating restaurants, leasing boats and offering transport services to Chinese tourists in Semporna.
“Last month, Sin Chew Daily reported that Shafie had urged the Sabah government to take action against Chinese nationals operating restaurants, leasing boats, and offering transport services to Chinese tourists.”
Contested 10 elections, won 10.
| Election | Seat | Ticket | Votes | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sabah state election 2025 | N65 Senallang | WARISAN | 8,751 79.6% | Won by 6,837 |
| GE15 (2022) | P189 Semporna | WARISAN | 28,702 73.8% | Won by 20,810 |
| Sabah state election 2020 | N65 Senallang | WARISAN · WARISAN-PLUS | 6,363 77.2% | Won by 4,631 |
| Sabah state election 2018 | N53 Senallang | WARISAN | 7,754 76.0% | Won by 5,301 |
| GE14 (2018) | P189 Semporna | WARISAN | 26,809 80.2% | Won by 20,674 |
| GE13 (2013) | P189 Semporna | UMNO · BN | 25,559 83.7% | Won by 20,905 |
| GE12 (2008) | P189 Semporna | UMNO · BN | 19,419 90.8% | Won by 17,462 |
| GE11 (2004) | P189 Semporna | UMNO · BN | 15,215 76.3% | Won by 13,319 |
| GE10 (1999) | P164 Semporna | UMNO · BN | 18,570 78.0% | Won by 13,325 |
| GE9 (1995) | P164 Semporna | UMNO · BN | 17,006 78.0% | Won by 12,218 |
Official gazetted results via the Malaysian Election Corpus (grade A record).
Collected automatically from credible outlets and Wikipedia, then cross-checked: Verified items match the official record, Confirmed items were reported by two or more different outlets, and single-source items are one outlet’s report. Partisan and anonymous claims are never shown.
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