KOTA KINABALU (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Lahad Datu Umno Assemblyman Yusof Apdal has been arrested in connection with a graft investigation, according to reports.

Datuk Yusof is the younger brother of Parti Warisan Sabah' president, Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal.

He was detained in connection with the graft investigations involving the skimming of RM1.5 billion (S$480 million) worth of rural development projects.

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) deputy chief commissioner (Operations) Azam Baki confirmed the arrest on Tuesday (Oct 17).

It is understood that he was arrested at about 8pm after entering the MACC office at about 5pm to give a statement in connection with several projects under the Rural and Regional Development Ministry that was headed by his brother between 2009 and 2015, said The Star.

Another of Shafie's younger brothers, Hamid, was arrested last week and remains in custody, along with his businessman son-in-law.

The investigations are focused on 70 projects involving roads, electricity and water supply for rural areas of Sabah.

The investigations include incomplete projects as well as suspected corrupted practices in the implementation of the project.

More than 45 people have been questioned since the probe began two weeks ago.

This latest arrest brings the total number of arrests to nine.

When Shafie left Umno to form Warisan, Yusof, who is the Silam Umno chief remained with the party.