The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has taken a statement from Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to facilitate their investigation into alleged abuse of power involving Deputy Chief Minister I Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin.

lim guan eng Lim said a team of MACC officers led by Penang MACC director Latifah Md Yatim recorded the statement from him yesterday late evening for over an hour.

He said the MACC also took a statement from Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy in connection with the case.

"The MACC may question other state executive councillors. I have told them to give their cooperation to MACC if required to assist in the investigation," he told reporters, here, today.

Fairus not arrested

MACC investigation director Shukri Abdul, when contacted by Bernama, said the investigation papers on the case were expected to be received tomorrow or the day after.

mohammad fairus penang deputy cm deny resign 160708 01 He refuted a rumour circulating that Mohammad Fairus ( right ) had been detained by MACC.

On March 26, Mohammad Fairus was picked up at the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex in Johor Baharu to assist in the investigation into the allegation and was released after MACC recorded a statement from him.

The case is believed to be connected to the allegation by Kepala Batas PKR Youth chief Amizuddin Ahmat that certain state PKR leaders had worked hand-in-glove with quarry operators carrying out illegal activities in Seberang Perai.

In an unrelated development, the Dewan Negara was told that there is no necessity to formulate the Anti-Party Hopping Law at the moment as it is against the right of association as provided for under the Federal Constitution.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz said the government had decided long ago that the bill would not be introduced as it was deemed unnecessary.

"Under the Constitution, every citizen is free and has the right of association but if it is felt necessary in future, we will consider it (the bill)," he said, replying to a question from Senator Heng Seai Kie at the Dewan Negara sitting today.