The Prime Minister's Department today said that investigations against MCA president and Transport Minister Dr Ling Liong Sik ( photo ) for alleged involvement in commercial offences is confidential.

In a written reply to the Dewan Rakyat, Deputy Minister Douglas Uggah Embas said details would not be made public until charges are filed in court under the Anti-Corruption Act 1997.

He also said the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) was still investigating several reports filed against the minister to date.

Query from Seputeh MP

Teresa Kok (DAP-Seputeh) had asked the department to explain why the government has not acted against Ling for alleged involvement in commercial offences and other legal suits.

The MP also wanted the department to reveal the results of police and ACA investigations o­n the minister.

On Jan 24, a foreign investor lodged a police report against Ling, his eldest son Hee Leong and high-profile businessman Soh Chee Wen, claiming that the trio owed him RM100 million from a business deal that fell through in 1997.

Franz Christoph Heldwein, an Austrian, said the police report was filed to pave the way for legal proceedings against the trio to recover his losses.

In January, Soh ( photo ), a former ally of the MCA chief, filed a writ of summons against Ling and Linksun Avenue (a company owned by Hee Leong) at the Kuala Lumpur High Court, also in a bid to recover losses.

Soh is seeking to claim RM149.2 million (plus interest and other costs) that he lent to Linksun Avenue in acquiring 32 percent equity in Berjaya Industrial Bhd in 1996. Linksun Avenue was named as the first defendant with Ling as the second, in the 22-page writ.

He has also accused Ling of intending to create a business empire through his son by using his political influence and position in the government.

A close associate of Ling until their relationship turned sour after the 1997 financial crisis, Soh himself was charged with defrauding a now defunct stockbroking firm of RM490 million before he fled the country four years ago. He returned to Malaysia last May.