Illegal factory: MACC to record Guan Eng’s statement soon

KEPALA BATAS: The Malaysian Anti- Corruption Commission ( MACC) will record a statement from Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to complete its final investigation into the case of an illegal factory in Sungai Lembu, Bukit Mertajam operating for the past 10 years.

MACC chief commissioner, Tan Sri Dzulkif li Ahmad said the commission would record the statement soon.

“The case is in the final stage of investigation, and we will record the statement of the chief minister soon to complete the investigation,” he told reporters after opening the state- level ‘Kembara Jelajah Anti-Rasuah 2017’ ( KEJAR ‘17) at Sekolah Kebangsaan Hashim Awang here yesterday.

On Aug 11, state government executive councillor Phee Boon Poh was detained by the MACC after having his statement recorded on the factory, at the Penang MACC office here.

The Sungai Puyu state assemblyman was then remanded for five days to help in investigations on the case but was freed three days later after the Penang High Court allowed a review request to cancel the remand order.

On MACC’s intended legal action against Guan Eng over the latter’s statement that Phee’s detention was “an illegal detention” by MACC, Dzulkifli said the commission was still waiting for a report from the Attorney- General’s Chambers.

“After KEJAR 17 which ends on Oct 1, I will look at its development, whether we have received a report from the Attorney- General or not,” he said.

On Aug 25, MACC gave Guan Eng 48 hours to apologise openly and unconditionally to the commission or face legal action following his remark.

MACC, through a statement on Sept 5, stressed that it respected the right and freedom of any quarter to criticise but would not compromise if anyone slandered the agency on investigations being conducted by MACC, with the aim of smearing its image and reputation. — Bernama