PENANG, 19 Aug 2009: The Penang government has demanded an explanation from the state Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) as to why it reopened an investigation into a case involving a quarry.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the case, which was linked to former deputy chief minister (I) Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin, was closed as there was no evidence of corruption.
“Why do they (the MACC) still want to request for the minutes of the past state executive councillors’ meeting as the case has been closed?
“This is a very irresponsible and unprofessional act on the part of the state MACC, which seems to be targeting Pakatan Rakyat (PR) members,” he said.
The chief minister said he could not spare the time for the MACC to record his statement, but would be ready to submit to their request for the minutes.
“They had requested a time to record my statement, but I refuse to entertain [them] as I had already given my statement the last time around. I have my own programmes, too,” he said.
State MACC director Latifah Md Yatim could not be reached for comment.
Meanwhile, Lim, who is also DAP secretary-general, said he was “very surprised” with the Barisan Nasional’s (BN) choice of candidate in the Permatang Pasir state seat by-election.
He said even though BN candidate Rohaizat Othman’s licence as civil lawyer had been revoked by the Malaysian Bar Council, he was still choosen to represent the party.
“Do not tell me the BN does not have a better candidate than Rohaizat, who has failed to become a good lawyer,” he said, adding it was up to the voters in Permatang Pasir to decide on their representative.
He said PAS candidate Mohd Salleh Man was more experienced and suitable to represent the people in Permatang Pasir.
The Permatang Pasir state seat fell vacant on 31 July when its assemblyperson, Datuk Mohd Hamdan Abdul Rahman, of PAS, died of a heart attack. — Bernama
