In a statement, Amanah deputy president Salahuddin Ayub praised the Johor MACC for its commitment to justice by arresting Johor exco member Abdul Latif Bandi.

He added, however, that the people of Johor had unanswered questions over the exco member’s involvement in the scandal.

“The people, especially in Johor, are asking how a state exco could have been bold enough to indulge in corruption over land without the blessing of a ‘godfather’ who is trying to hide behind a clean image,” he said.

He said the people of Johor looked to MACC to continue hunting the “godfather and his henchmen”.

Salahuddin added that the people appreciated Johor Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar for telling MACC to combat corruption in the state administration.

Latif was arrested yesterday at the state MACC office in Johor Bahru.

Latif, who is the Johor housing and local government committee chairman, had earlier decided to go on leave pending the investigation into the case, which involved the reduction of premium for land approved for housing and industrial projects as well as the conversion of status of various premises in the state.

Four men, including Latif’s son and special officer, were previously detained and released on MACC bail. A lawyer and another man were also arrested over the scandal.

The six were detained on Feb 24 in a simultaneous operation at several locations in Johor Bahru.

Two developers were also detained but were later released on bail.

Salahuddin also said in his statement that since the scandal happened under Menteri Besar Khaled Nordin’s administration, the latter should take responsibility for it.

Khaled had earlier said he would leave it to MACC to investigate the case.

“We sympathise but I believe we should leave it to the MACC to achieve justice in the matter (on corruption and asset misappropriation),” Khalid had said.