Penang MACC director S Karunanithy said this following a Thaipusam celebration event in George Town today, Bernama reported.

“Yes, we will be calling up several other individuals to assist in the case. I cannot comment further because we are in the midst of conducting a thorough investigation,” he was quoted as saying.

It was reported that the probe was initiated after an assemblyman raised the issue during the state assembly meeting late last year.

An MACC team had visited several offices to obtain documents, which are being examined. It also recorded statements from two people believed to be linked to the case.

Karunanithy said the case is being investigated under Section 23 of the MACC Act 2009 for using one’s office or position for gratification.

Yesterday, the state government said it would give space to  MACC to carry out its investigation.

Chief minister Chow Kon Yeow was also quoted as saying the state government would not interfere with the MACC investigation or conduct an internal probe.