Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang does not agree with certain quarters asking Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to go on leave so that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) could start its investigation into his purchase of a RM2.8 million bungalow on Jalan Pinhorn.

Tan told Malaysiakini he does not think Lim should go on leave pending the probe as he is supposed to be deemed innocent at this juncture until proven guilty.

“He does not need to go on leave unless he is charged; but he should have returned home from his overseas working trip to Malaysia immediately to face the probe, instead of letting others to do the job for him,” he said.

“He just paid a courtesy visit to China; this could have been done in one day, he could have appointed a representative to do the job, and then returned to Penang,” Tan added.

“What is more important is not China, but the image of Penang,” he said.

Yesterday, the Malaysian Bar said if Lim goes on leave, it would preserve the integrity of the MACC probe, while Human Rights Society president Ambiga Sreenevasan said that he should consider this option .

Ambiga said Lim did a good thing by urging the MACC to investigate quickly as this is something that can be done.

Tan said he did not support the views of the Malaysian Bar or Ambiga.

He also cited a Malaysiakini report yesterday quoting his tweets where he said that the DAP had the habit of asking others to go on leave.

Read more: https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/334798 (Malaysiakini report)

"DAP has the habit of asking others to go on leave when allegations are made against BN leaders. Why not ask the same for Lim?" he tweeted, with the hashtag "#hypocrite".

Tan had criticised the DAP secretary-general for going on a three-day working trip to Hainan amid the bungalow controversy.

"Best if you cut short your sudden overseas trip to China. Thought you asked MACC to expedite investigation. Please come back. Thank-you.

"You just ask MACC to expedite investigation but you immediately go overseas? Wow.....#nothingtohide," Tan had tweeted.

MACC officers visited Komtar yesterday and the probe on Lim’s bungalow sale and its alleged link to the Taman Manggis state government land sale to a private company has begun, after the anti-corruption agency received eight reports pertaining to the case.

Lim had denied any wrongdoing, saying the bungalow was purchased from a businesswoman close to his wife Betty Chew, on a “willing-buyer, willing-seller” basis.

Lim also said the Taman Manggis land, which is situated on Jalan Zainal Abidin, was sold to Kuala Lumpur International Dental Centre (KLIDC) via an open tender committee chaired by the state secretariat.