Guan Eng sees no reason to take leave

GEORGE TOWN: Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng sees no reason to go on leave pending the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) investigations against him over the purchase of his house and the sale of state land in Taman Manggis.

“I do not see why I should go on leave for the blatant false allegations against me, and when I have no influence and control over MACC investigations or the Attorney-General, who exercises full prosecution powers.

“Only the Prime Minister exercises authority over both MACC and the Attorney-General,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Lim said the late Kelantan mentri besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat was investigated by MACC on false charges of corruption over a sponsored haj trip to Mecca in 2009, which he subsequently cancelled.

“No one asked Nik Abdul Aziz to go on leave because he had no control or authority over MACC and the charges were baseless.

“If a mentri besar or chief minister is required to go on leave every time a corruption report is lodged, even frivolous and baseless ones, everyone then has to go on leave,” he added.

Lim urged MACC to speedily complete its investigations so that his name and the state government’s could be cleared.

“I have stated my full cooperation to MACC and hope that there can be a fair, independent and professional investigation.”

He reiterated that the sale of state land in Taman Manggis was by open tender to the public and awarded to the company with the highest offer.

“How can there be corruption when the company won the tender by paying the ­highest price?

“Furthermore, the landlady who sold me the house was never ever a shareholder or director of the company which won the tender.

“For this reason, the corruption reports against me by Barisan Nasional and their supporters are false and a conspiracy to destroy me politically,” said Lim.

State DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow also said he saw no reason for Lim to take leave.

MACC, he said, had yet to complete its investigations and no charges had been filed against Lim.

Chow also confirmed that MACC had visited a state government office on Tuesday.

“All the state government officers will give their cooperation so that the investigations can be expedited.”

Penang MACC director Datuk M. Samarajoo declined to comment when contacted.