Johor to assist MACC in property corruption case - MB

The Johor state government will give its full cooperation to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on investigations into a property and housing scam in Johor recently.

Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the state government viewed the case seriously as MACC arrested six individuals including the son as well as a special officer of a state government executive councillor and froze 45 bank accounts valued at RM15.5 million.

"It is the state government's commitment to ensure no interference from any parties in the case. This is to ensure transparency and for the investigations to proceed smoothly," he said in a statement here today.

According to Mohamed Khaled, all departments and agencies of the state government will give their full cooperation to MACC for the investigation to be conducted fairly.

Mohamed Khaled said the move by the Johor State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Abd Latif Bandi to go on leave until the investigation was completed was appropriate to enable investigations to proceed smoothly and proves the state government held to the practice of integrity and transparency.

Last Friday (Feb 24), MACC detained the six suspects in the state for abetting to approve land premium reduction for housing and industrial projects as well as changing the status of Bumiputera premises in Johor.

Also confiscated were 21 luxury cars, five high-powered motorcycles, about RM500,000 in cash including foreign currencies and documents believed can assist investigations.

Mohamed Khaled said the state government would also be announcing efforts to streamline procedures and governance of property and housing transactions soon to prevent leakages and abuse of power. - BERNAMA