“It has to be reminded that investigation of every corruption case is different in terms of evidence gathering, verification of documents, as well as recording of witnesses’ statements and hence, the duration of investigation also varies,” the commission said in a statement quoted by Bernama.
The statement was issued in response to criticism that MACC had not been firm about the controversial bungalow deal, and was delaying the investigation.
Earlier in the week, MACC had called for the cancellation of a proposed live television debate between cabinet minister Abdul Rahman Dahlan and Lim about the bungalow deal, said to be done at below market value, and the sale of state land at Taman Manggis, also said to be below market value.
The woman who sold Lim the bungalow has been linked as a former employee and business partner of the owner of the company that bought the Taman Manggis land.
In its statement today, MACC also asked for an end to public speculation about the arrest and conviction of an MACC officer for seeking a bribe from a policeman.
Kenny Chua Boon Meng, 35, was sentenced to three months’ jail and fined RM3,000 by the Sessions Court on Tuesday on charges of cheating and accepting a RM20,000 bribe from policeman Muhamad Fazal Sulaiman, 36, for not investigating him. Chua had done so despite the knowledge that Fazal was not under investigation, the court was told.
MACC said today that the Kenny Chua case had no connection at all with the Lim Guan Eng bungalow purchase and another case involving the Youth and Sports Ministry.
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