PENANG, 13 July 2009: The Penang government today lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), urging the commission to investigate the sale of a piece of land in Kampung Buah Pala, Bukit Gelugor, here.
The report was lodged by the two deputy chief ministers, Mansor Othman and P Ramasamy, at the Penang MACC office at about 3pm.
Ramasamy told reporters that the state government wanted the MACC to investigate why the land, which was priced at RM6.42 million, was sold at 50% discount to Koperasi Pegawai Kerajaan Pulau Pinang.
“After the discount, it only needed to pay RM3.21 million or RM10 per sq ft. We are shocked by the price as it is too low,” he said.
Ramasamy said that in the report the state government also questioned why the land was sold without any negotiation with the residents.
“We want the MACC to investigate whether there are elements of abuse of power during the sale of the land,” he said.
Penang MACC principal assistant director Mohd Noor Abdul Rahman said based on investigations carried out three months ago, the MACC did not find any irregularity in the sale of the land.
“With the new report, the MACC will reopen the investigation papers on the matter,” he told reporters.
Kampung Buah Pala residents are facing eviction after the Federal Court rejected their appeal to remain in the area, which they have been occupying for a long time.
Meanwhile, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said he would meet representatives of the Kampung Buah Pala Residents Association on Thursday to discuss their plight.
He said association chairperson M Sugumaran had agreed to a talk with the state government, together with representatives of the kampung residents.
They would discuss the matter at his office at 8pm, Lim said. — Bernama
stk says
“Penang MACC principal assistant director Mohd Noor Abdul Rahman said based on investigations carried out three months ago, the MACC did not find any irregularity in the sale of the land.”
The MACC will be forever blind and deaf when [it] comes to investigations [on alleged] corrupt practice by the BN. When [the] complaints [are] about Pakatan leaders, they are super efficient. I mean really super efficient even without any reports. So [were] the AG and the police.
I can safely tell you the end result is expected. File NFA (no further action). Case TUTUP.
aca says
No worries. No cows and cars. NFA [no futher action].