Following the latest allegation plaguing attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail involving conglomerate Ho Hup Bhd and its former managing director Vincent Lye, a social activist has called on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to act swiftly and investigate the matter.

Former MACC advisory committee member Robert Phang also urged Gani to come clean on the charge made in the blog Malaysia Today and to step down to facilitate investigations.

NONE "Gani has again courted controversy, this time with a revelation in Malaysia Today on Aug 24. If the allegation is not thoroughly investigated, it will be perceived badly by the rakyat.

" Malaysia Today also produced documentary evidence of what appears to be Gani receiving gratification to take sides in a corporate boardroom tussle in Ho Hup Construction Bhd," Phang ( right ) said.

The MACC on its part must show independence and courage by acting swiftly to investigate this matter.

"To facilitate such an investigation, Gani must immediately step down. These are clear steps that must be taken to preserve the integrity of the AG's Chambers and that of the government.

"Otherwise, the MACC will be regarded as impotent and not daring to take action against those in the corridors of power," Phang added.

Malaysia Today, operated by blogger and ex-ISA detainee Raja Petra Kamaruddin, reported that Lye, who is from Sabah, from where Gani also hails, had paid for renovations to the house of Gani's second wife in Seremban 2.

Cash vouchers dated Aug 12, 2009, and extensive bills and invoices charged to Ho Hup for the renovation were posted on the blog to prove this allegation.

Malaysia Today also reported a purported meeting between Gani and Lye, with a picture of the two together, after with Gani took action against Lye's rival TC Low by charging Low in court.

Phang said this revelation would surely destroy any credibility left in the AG's Chambers.

"It appears that criminal prosecution is instituted at the whims and fancies of Gani, not on the basis of right or wrong but on might is right," he said.

'If MACC can investigate me, why not AG?'

Phang pointed out that he had previously criticised Gani for his haj tri p with former MAS chairperson Tajudin's Ramli's proxy, Shahidan Shafie.

NONE "Instead of taking action against Gani, alarmingly, I was subjected to an immediate investigation by the MACC, based on a false allegation in an anonymous blog.

"I was publicly humiliated, but the MACC operations evaluation panel chairperson Dr Hadenan Abdul Jalil only conditionally cleared me.

"My demands for an unconditional and unequivocal clearance have yet to receive any response from the MACC," he addeed.

Phang further said the invoices, receipts and cheque posted on the blog were very clear.

"It does not require complex forensic accounting. These documents paint a thousand words about the alleged renovation works done for Gani's bungalow in Seremban 2.

"The documents constitute clear evidence of corrupt gratification. The MACC must show

independence and courage by acting swiftly to investigate this matter," he said.

Phang said the BN government under Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had to address and solve many corruption issues that have surfaced, particularly the latest one involving Gani.

"This is very serious, more so that it is surfacing in the holy month of Ramadan. The rakyat need to know, and certainly Gani has to enlighten the rakyat on the truth."