MACC VISITS SG LEMBU FOLK

Residents told to give statements at MACC office in Butterworth

MALAYSIAN AntiCorruption Commission officers yesterday visited Sungai Lembu to speak with residents over the illegal carbon filter factory nearby.

The officers were seen seated with village committee chairman Tan Sing Lee and two others at a coffee shop.

They were seen talking for nearly an hour.

Members of the media had stumbled on the meeting while covering DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang’s visit to the village an hour before the arrival of the MACC officers.

Tan said the MACC officers informed him yesterday morning that they would visit the villagers to interview them.

However, he said, the MACC officers had asked them instead to come to their office in Butterworth to give their statements after seeing the large number of media personnel in the area.

“They could have taken our statements at the village, but they said there were many members of the media here and told us to come to their office.”

Tan said the officer gave them a written order to be present at the office to have their statements recorded.

Sungai Lembu Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) secretary Yeo Keng Chuan said he would accompany Tan to the MACC’s office.

A MACC spokesman said they were recording the statements of the residents as part of their investigation.

“We are calling several people, including Penanti assemblyman Dr Norlela Ariffin, to have their statements recorded.

“We spoke to three villagers, who also hold positions in JKKK, and have called them to our office.”