He said the task to investigate has been assigned to an accounting firm and internal auditors to ensure more comprehensive investigations.

“The accounting firm is carrying out a thorough investigation and there is no deadline.

“I am confident it will be completed soon,” he told reporters after attending a memorandum of understanding between the George Town Conservation and Development Corporation with the French Embassy in Kuala Lumpur here today.

Lim was asked to comment on a local newspaper report today which revealed the secrets of the “red files” that was previously concealed by the Barisan Nasional (BN) government.

In an interview with a newspaper, Lim was reported to have said that all these files were inaccessible as the BN government blocked auditors and officials from examining them professionally and with integrity.

In another development, Lim praised the move by the Penang state government to cut 10% of the salaries of the chief minister and 10 Exco members so it could be channelled to the Tabung Harapan Malaysia, set up to help pay the country’s debts.