MACC: What's so special about Penang?

KUALA LUMPUR: If the DAP-led Penang state government is sincere in signing the corruption-free pledge, it would have done so voluntarily, says Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief commissioner Datuk Dzulkifli Ahmad.

"What's so special about Penang? Other states voluntarily signed it. I don't know why (chief minister) Lim Guan Eng said he needs to be invited.

"The other states even contacted us about signing the pledge. So why does Penang need to be invited?" he told reporters during a press conference after the corruption-free pledge signing ceremony at the Police Training Centre Monday.

He said the onus was on the Penang state government to sign the pledge, as this would reflect its sincerity in combating corruption.

Last Saturday, Dzulkifli was quoted as saying that the MACC was disappointed with the Penang government's refusal to sign the pledge.

However, Lim denied that Penang refused to sign the pledge, saying that the MACC had never contacted the state government to do so.

Penang state executive councillor Datuk Abdul Malik Abul Kassim later said that Penang would only consider signing the pledge if the MACC agrees to add the state's 10 main anti-corruption policies.

Responding to Guan Eng's remarks, Dzulkifli merely said that the MACC is always ready to accept Penang's pledge.

"Why must Penang be different than the others? It is up to them. If they want to sign the pledge, we are always ready," he said.