The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has concluded its investigation against Penang Chief MInister Lim Guan Eng and submitted the investigation papers to attorney-general (AG) Mohamed Apandi Ali.
“MACC has completed the investigation and the investigation papers have been submitted to the attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali to form his conclusion," read the anti-graft body’s statement.
While MACC did not specify what investigations against Lim that it referred to, the outstanding case that the commission is investigating involving the CM is the one with regard to the Jalan Pinhorn bungalow saga.
Lim has been accused of acquiring the property for considerations below market price, purportedly in exchange for approving the sale of government land to Kuala Lumpur International Dental Centre (KLIDC).
MACC added that the ball was now in the AG’s court, on whether to proceed with legal action.
“If Apandi is satisfied with the testimonies in the investigation papers submitted, appropriate legal action will be taken.
“Otherwise, if the MACC investigation is found to be wanting, there will be no legal actions taken,” said the commission.
The MACC said this was according to Article 145 of the Federal Constitution whereby the power to prosecute lies in the hands of the attorney-general.
The matter was first brought to light after Umno MP Shabudin Yahya raised the issue in Parliament in March, asking whether Lim’s purchase of the bungalow was linked to the sale of a state government piece of land in Taman Manggis to KLIDC.
MACC had questioned six individuals in Penang, including Lim over the RM2.8 million purchase of the bungalow on May 7. Lim had denied any wrongdoing.
Meanwhile, two individuals - Phang Li Koon who originally owned the bungalow, and her business partner and major shareholder in KLIDC, Tang Yong Chew - were also questioned by the MACC at its Putrajaya headquarters.
Phang is Tang’s business partner in several companies, though she said that she has no stated interest in KLIDC.
Allegations were also made that one of Phang’s businesses had dealings with the Penang government, though she denied this and stressed she was not involved in the running of KLIDC and signed a statutory declaration that the sale of the bungalow was according to “willing buyer-willing seller” basis.
