The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission will be calling Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and Penanti assemblyperson Dr Norlela Ariffin for their statements on an illegal factory operating in Kampung Sungai Lembu, Bukit Mertajam.

Confirming this, MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Azam Baki said the duo's statements would be recorded at a suitable time.

“This is a normal procedure to call them up as they have talked about the matter publicly.

“Their statements are needed to complete the investigations,” Azam was quoted as saying by The Star today.

The MACC last Friday raided Penang executive councillor Phee Boon Poh's office at Komtar and his home, the same day he was arrested after giving a statement to the commission.

Phee was then remanded for five days for investigation.

He is being investigated for allegedly instructing a local council not to take action against the illegal factory in Bukit Mertajam that had been operating for 10 years.

Lim had defended Phee, stating that illegal factories in the state were undergoing legalisation exercise since the DAP-led government was installed in 2008.

Norlela, on the other hand, posted “Thank you, MACC”, on her Facebook right after Phee was arrested.

Prior to Phee's arrest, the MACC had also seized documents related to the factory from the Seberang Perai Municipal Council and also raided the factory in question.