The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) today confirmed that former Penang deputy chief minister I Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin has been cleared of any corruption charge.

lim guan eng koh tsu koon penang land scandal issue 220409 fairus khairuddin A high-level MACC source said the commission has decided not to press any charges against Mohammad Fairus over the quarry issue.

"The decision stems from the contributor having said he agreed to sponsor (the London trip) and from our investigation there was no official dealing between the contributor and the recipient.

"MACC is confident about this decision (not to charge him) but the public might hold different views on the matter," said the source on condition of anonymity.

Yesterday, Mohammad Fairus told Malaysiakini that he was informed by a senior MACC official that he had been cleared.

However, several newspapers today quoted MACC chief commissioner Ahmad Said Hamdan as denying this.

The MACC later in the day however released a statement confirming that Mohamad Fairus would not be charged.

"MACC's legal and prosecuting division decided that the statements (recorded during investigation) have no basis for prosecution. The Attorney-General also agreed with the decision," said the statement.

Illegal quarry operations

Mohammad Fairus was embroiled in a controversy when PKR Kepala Batas Youth leader Amizudin Ahmat lodged a report alleging that the former DCM took RM10,000 bribe from a quarry operator.

Amizudin, who is allegedly linked to several of Mohammad Fairus’ detractors, also claimed that the former DCM was involved in covering up illegal quarry operations in Seberang Perai.

He first exposed the alleged bribery on Feb 27 at a press conference held at the Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) office before lodging the report.

He also submitted evidence to substantiate his claims to both MACC and the state PKR leadership. The evidence were allegedly documents which showed banking transaction of the alleged bribe.

Following this, MACC had recorded statements from Mohammad Fairus and his wife on March 25 in a marathon session in Johor Bahru.