Since land matters ultimately rest under his purview, Johor Menteri Besar Khaled Nordin should perhaps consider going on leave pending the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigation into corruption linked to land conversion in the state.

DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang urged this today in reference to the multi-million kickback scandal involving the conversion of bumiputera housing lots to non-bumiputera lots in Johor.

MACC has arrested six people, including the the son and special officer to Johor executive councillor Abdul Latif Bandi over the matter.

Twenty-one luxury cars, five high performance motorbikes and RM500,000 in cash were seized, while 45 accounts with more than RM15.5 million in them were frozen.

Abdul Latif has also gone on leave pending the MACC investigation.

"Should Khaled go on leave, like Abdul Latif?" Lim asked in a media statement.

He further argued that Khaled, as mentri besar, could not be unaware that Abdul Latif’s son was living well beyond his means.

"And the question is, what action has he taken to inquire from Abdul Latif whether his son’s disproportionate wealth was related to any official abuse of power or corrupt means?" he added.

In any case, Lim said, all eyes are now on Johor with its upcoming state assembly sitting and what the state government would do about the matter.

He noted that yesterday, DAP assemblyperson for Pekan Nanas Yeo Tung Siong had submitted an emergency motion to the state legislature, urging the formation of a select committee to oversee the corruption investigation when the house sits on March 9.

"Silence and inaction are no options for Khaled as he must speak loud and clear as to what the Johor government is doing to fight corruption in the state," Lim added.