PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) investigation of an illegal factory in Sungai Lembu was "reasonable".

However, Anwar said the MACC had gone overboard in its treatment of the exco in charge Phee Boon Poh.

"In the case of the illegal factory and its pollution in Sungai Lembu, Penang, over which villagers have raised objections, MACC's actions are considered reasonable.

"However, we are puzzled that the action to obtain information from Phee went overboard, including to remand him," Anwar said in a note released through his party today.

Anwar, who is presently in Sungai Buloh prison, also noted that while the MACC had taken tough action on certain cases, including on Felda Global Ventures, 1MDB still remains off limits.

Meanwhile, Pakatan Harapan president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail also denounced the way in which Phee was remanded.

“It’s public knowledge how Phee had cooperated by going to the MACC office to give his statement on the matter. As such, I am happy to receive news that the Penang High Court has overturned the remand orders and Phee is now free.

“However, as the MACC investigations have started, PKR is ready to cooperate to ensure that truth and justice will prevail. At the same time, I urge the MACC not to practice selective persecution and to take action in relation to the 1MDB issue,” she said.

As Permatang Pauh MP, Wan Azizah, however, admitted that she was concerned with the contamination of Sungai Lembu.

“The locals obviously want a solution to this and this was seen through a memorandum signed by 168 residents which was handed to Penanti state assemblyperson Norlela Ariffin who then handed it to the Penang state assembly.

“As such, the residents’ welfare must be prioritised and a solution to this problem must be found as soon as possible."

Phee's five-day remand, which was secured last Saturday, was today overturned by the Penang High Court.

The MACC on Friday arrested Phee for allegedly directing a local council not to take action against the illegal factory which produces carbon filters.

The graft buster had also raided Phee's home, exco office and service centre.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng had defended Phee, stating that illegal factories in the state were undergoing legalisation exercise.

The MACC probe was based on a complaint by Norlela.

Penang PKR had distanced itself from Norlela, who thanked MACC for the action, but said no action would be taken against her.