Seven companies linked to the family members of Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud have acquired state lands at prices much cheaper than their market valuation, the Sarawak DAP claims.

Bandar Kuching DAP Chong Chieng Jen, who is also Sarawak DAP chief, said the parcels of the land were worth about RM1 billion, but were alienated to the companies at a total price of about RM200 million only.

dap sibu ceramah 030513 chong chieng jen The lands, located across the state, have a total area of 94,773 acres, and were all acquired between 2000 and 2008.

Though Taib is not directly linked to any of the companies, Chong ( left ) said, his family members held shares in them, with the other shareholders being individuals related to Taib and members of his extended family.

"All these companies were shelf companies before the lands were alienated to them. They did not even do oil palm (planting) before these lands went to them," he said, adding that the companies came active only to acquire the state lands.

Come hear me in Parliament, Chong tells MACC

Chong urged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to use this information he was providing to further its investigations against Taib, which he said had been taking "too long".

"It has already been two years. That's very long for an investigation. This information is available in the public domain and should take one week to investigate, not years," he said.

Chong went on to say that the Sarawak land issue was merely the "tip of the iceberg", and that there was no need to have a separate panel to investigate the allegations of corruption against Taib.

"The 10-member panel (under the MACC) is just window dressing," he said.

He also challenged the MACC officers to listen to his speech when he debates the Royal Address in the the Dewan Rakyat, for he would be reading out the details of the lands and the companies linked to Taib's family.