The Penang state government was urged to lodge a police report on the alleged conspiracy in the Tang Hak Ju land issue.

NONE State Gerakan assistant secretary Goh Kheng Sneah (right) said a report should be lodged immediately on the allegation made by Deputy Chief Minister number two, P Ramasamy.

He said the police report would supplement the one lodged yesterday at the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) state office in George Town yesterday.

"A police report will strengthen its case and intensify the probe," said Goh, while welcoming the report lodged by Ramasamy with the MACC.

Goh said that it was an ideal opportunity for Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng's administration, subscribing to the CAT principles (competency, accountability and transparency), to put his house in order.

‘It's a good chance for the state government to clean up its own backyard. Since he assumed office, Lim has been blaming the previous government for many land scams .

"He should stop the shadow play and walk his talk. It's time to take firm action to wipe out alleged malpractices in the state administration," said Goh.

Millions lost through land scams

A special investigation committee, headed by Ramasamy, was formed after it was discovered that land scams had cost the state to lose millions in revenue.

penang land scam 290708 p ramasamy Ramasamy (left) has alleged a conspiracy in Tang's case which was investigated by a three-man committee headed by him.

He made the allegations based on evidence shown to the committee by the landowner, Penang United Hokkien Cemeteries Association, at the internal inquiry in July.

He said the evidence showed that Tang was aware that the land belonged to the association and not to the state.

It contradicted Tang's court affidavit, which stated that he did not know the land belonged to the association.

Ramasamy said initially the state government thought that it was an oversight on the part of the officers from the state Land and Mines Office.

But the association's evidence showed that there was an intention to deceive from the start. Tang had sued the state for selling the 4.3ha land to him.

On Feb 19, the Penang High Court ordered the state government to place a deposit of RM14,678,135, or half of the RM29,356,271 in compensation due to Tang in his law suit relating to the botched land deal.

The state was to have submitted the deposit by April 19, but is appealing the court's verdict and quantum of damages. The damages to Tang could reach RM40 million.

Ramasamy claimed that if it is proven that deception was involved in the land deal, RM14 million of the taxpayers' money would go down the drain.

Goh said he would welcome any action by the DAP-led government to take punitive action on anyone involved in malpractices in the state administration.

When contacted Ramasamy hinted the state government may lodge a police report.

"We have not thought about it. But I won't rule it out," he said.