According to a spokesperson from the MACC headquarters, the statements were to assist in the ongoing probe.

It is learnt that three officers arrived at the village at 11am to take statements from the affected villagers.

The officers first approached Sungai Lembu JKKK chairman Tan Sing Lee and secretary Yeoh Kong Chuan.

The owner of a chicken farm near the factory was also reportedly told to give his statement at MACC’s office in Butterworth.

The illegal factory in question had been burning sawdust in more than two dozen open pits to produce activated carbon.

Reports say it had been operating for more than 10 years.

Activated carbon is usually used in water filters and air purifiers.

State executive councillor Phee Boon Poh and two other factory bosses were detained for three days last week.

Phee, 66, is being investigated for using his office or position for gratification under Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009.

The two other men involved in the case, a father and son aged 70 and 37, are the owners of the carbon filter factory.

If found guilty, Phee and the two men face 20 years’ jail and a fine of not less than five times the value of the gratification or RM10,000, whichever is higher.

Phee’s arrest on Friday followed a multi-agency operation carried out last Thursday at the factory in Bukit Mertajam, which was found to have flouted many federal regulations.

The Department of Environment (DoE) found that the factory did not have a proper air pollution control system. The factory was also said to be operating illegally on agriculture land in Sungai Lembu.

MACC, the Immigration Department, the DoE and the Inland Revenue Board jointly conducted the operation.

Besides the factory, the Seberang Perai Municipal Council’s licensing department was also raided by MACC.

MACC said it is investigating two letters allegedly written by Phee, asking that no action be taken against the illegal factory.