GEORGE TOWN: Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Mohamad Abdul Hamid has completed giving his statement to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission on Tuesday (March 3) as part of the investigation into alleged power abuse.
The state PKR chairman was seen leaving the MACC building at 3.50pm on the second day of the session after MACC officers grilled him for almost seven hours.
The Batu Maung assemblyman and Penang State Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP) president was called in to help the MACC investigation into alleged abuse of power involving the use of zakat funds to purchase land.
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On Monday (March 2), the first-term assemblyman spent seven hours at the state MACC headquarters having his statement recorded.
He left the premises at 4.10pm on Monday before returning Tuesday morning to continue recording his statement.
For the past two days, the compound outside the MACC building has been a hive of media activity, as journalists hoped to corner Mohamad for answers and clarification.
Despite the scorching sun, photographers took turns patiently, spending a cumulative 14 hours over two days to get their shots.
Rumours of Mohamad being summoned by the anti-graft agency had been circulating since last week, but he remained unseen while the media waited, leaving reporters to rely on statements from officials and witnesses for updates.
MACC has so far recorded statements from 63 people in connection with the allegations.
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Sources said they were summoned in stages after the investigation paper was opened in January.
MACC is also scrutinising several bank accounts suspected to be linked to the alleged offences.
Among those summoned were MAINPP officers and staff members, the state mufti, State Secretary, state financial officer and state legal adviser.
Members of the state Zakat Board, including its officers and employees, were also called to assist in the probe.
MACC opened the investigation following allegations raised by an assemblyman during the State Legislative Assembly sitting late last year.
Mohamad had said he was ready to be summoned by MACC to assist in the probe and that he would cooperate fully.
He had also said that MAINPP and its zakat collection body had handed over the relevant documents to the anti-graft agency.
