Stop issuing threats to Guan Eng, MACC urged

GEORGE TOWN: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) ultimatum to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to issue an apology within 48 hours over his reference to the detention of state executive council member Phee Boon Poh as being a penahanan haram oleh SPRM (illegal detention by MACC), is illadvised.

Ramkarpal Singh, lawyer and DAP Bukit Gelugor member of parliament, said there could be no doubt that Lim’s statement was made with regard to the prevailing circumstances, and as such, was certainly justified.

“MACC should cease and desist from issuing baseless threats to the chief minister.

“Instead, it should explain how information regarding the freezing of four bank accounts of Phee was leaked and made public. Since the said information was obtained directly by MACC, there is an irresistible inference that the leak must have been caused by MACC as well.

“It is baffling as to how MACC could have allowed such information to reach the public domain, as not only can this jeopardise investigations, but it can also endanger the lives of Phee and his family.

“In the circumstances, I can see no reason for the chief minister to respond to such a baseless ultimatum by MACC, although it is open for him to do so.

“On the contrary, an explanation ought to come from MACC for the reason stated above,” he said in a statement posted on his official Facebook account.

MACC had on Friday given Lim 48 hours to apologise.

MACC, which claimed that Lim’s statement was slanderous, had said it would initiate legal action if he failed to apologise within the stipulated time.

He has not offered any apology.

Meanwhile, Gerakan vice-president Dominic Lau challenged Guan Eng to apologise for the latter’s remark on MACC.

“If he refuses to apologise, Guan Eng should not cry wolf later on or play victim if MACC takes the matter to court to protect its good name,” said Lau.