GEORGE TOWN: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is reviewing all past high profile corruption cases involving controversial figures which have been marked as no further action (NFA) despite them being of public interest.
MACC chief commissioner Latheefa Koya said she had been informed of many past controversial cases, involving VIPs, in Sarawak, Selangor, Penang and others.
"I am reviewing these cases. I have summoned for all the files which involve the controversial figures.
"I need to go through them. I need to understand why these cases were closed, and really NFA for the right reason. However, I need some time to do that. It won't be so fast but I am looking through them.
"I had given instructions, whether Sarawak, Selangor and even Penang ... any public interest cases involving VIPs and controversial figures, I have summoned for those to be reviewed," she said after a working visit to the state MACC headquarters here today.
This is her first official visit here after assuming the post two months ago. Present was MACC deputy chief commissioner (operation) Datuk Seri Azam Baki.
Latheefa, however, did not go into details of the high profile cases.
She was asked on the possibility of re-opening high profile cases, in particular, those involving Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng's purchase of a bungalow in Jalan Pinhorn here at under market price when he was the Penang Chief Minister.
Last September, the Penang High Court granted Lim a discharge amounting to an acquittal over corruption charges.
On June 30, 2016, Lim claimed trial to using his position as a public officer, namely, the then chief minister of Penang, to gain gratification for himself and his wife, Betty Chew Gek Cheng.
He was accused of doing so by approving the application for conversion of agriculture land to a public housing zone in the southwest district to a company, Magnificient Emblem Sdn Bhd.
He was charged with committing the offence while chairing the State Planning Committee meeting at the operations room, Level 28, Komtar building here, on July 18, 2014.
Lim also claimed trial to using his position to obtain for himself a plot of land and a house, located at No 25, Jalan Pinhorn, George Town, from Phang for RM2.8 million, a price which he allegedly knew did not commensurate with the property’s then market value of RM4.27 million.
The offence was allegedly committed at No 25 Jalan Pinhorn, George Town here on Oct 21, 2015.
Commenting on the matter, Latheefa said cases which had gone to court were considered settled and it made no sense to re-open such cases.
"Once a case is completed in court, it is completed. It makes no sense to open up (the cases). Unless you tell me there is some 'funny business' in the court.
"We can't do anything about it unless there is some other new evidence, issues. We can't be doing it (re-opening cases) just to please certain quarters," she said.