The investigation report as to whether there was misappropriation or abuse of power in the sale of the Kampung Buah Pala land at Bukit Gelugor here is expected to be ready this month.

Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Penang director, Latifah Md Yatim, said the investigation, conducted after a complaint was received from the Penang state government in July, was in its final stage.

"We are in the final stage and the report is expected to be fully ready this month," she told reporters after the Penang MACC 'Gerak Mesra' programme today.

On July 13, Penang Deputy Chief Ministers I and II, respectively Mansor Othman and P Ramasamy, made reports to the MACC relating to the Kampung Buah Pala land.

Ramasamy was reported to have said that the report was for MACC to investigate in detail if there was misappropriation or abuse of power in the sale of the land by the previous state government to the Penang Government Officers Cooperative.

On April 25, 2007, the land was to be sold to the cooperative for RM6,420,000 but the cooperative was given a 50 per cent discount by the previous state government.

The status of Fairus' case

lim guan eng koh tsu koon penang land scandal issue 220409 fairus khairuddin On another development, Latifah said the investigation papers relating to allegations of corruption against former Deputy Chief Minister I, Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin, had been sent to the prosecution division.

"We are awaiting further instructions," she said.

The state MACC had reopened the investigation of Mohammad Fairus after receiving new evidence in August.

Investigation of Mohammad Fairus began in March this year and a month later the commission decided that the statements recorded had no basis to the accusation and the case was closed.

Mohammad Fairus from PKR resigned as DCM I and state executive councillor on April 8 and as Penanti state assemblyperson on the April 16.

- Bernama