A PENANG government exco was interviewed by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission today, believed to be over an illegal carbon filter processing factory in an oil palm estate.

MACC and federal authorities raided the factory, which had been in operation for more than 10 days, in Sungai Lembu, Bukit Mertajam, yesterday.

Locals had complained that the factory was causing pollution and that authorities had not taken action.

Five MACC officers interviewed state exco for welfare, caring society, health and environment Phee Boon Poh at his Komtar office for about an hour.

They only confirmed which exco they had interviewed and said the MACC headquarters would issue a statement on the matter.

Phee was not detained. It is unclear whether documents from his office were seized.

While the interview was being held, one of his staff members was seen going in and out of the office to make copies of documents.

The exco, upon stepping out for a lunch break at 1.10pm, declined to comment when asked by reporters about the interview.

Yesterday’s raid involved 50 officers from the Inland Revenue Board (IRB), Department of Environment and Immigration Department.

Nine Myanmar nationals, including a woman, who were working at the factory were detained. The factory’s 70-year-old supervisor was also picked up for questioning.

It was reported that MACC and IRB officers had seized documents from the factory’s office and a Seberang Prai municipal councillor’s office in Bandar Perda. – August 11, 2017.