SG Puyu assemblyman Phee Boon Poh has been arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

The environment, welfare and caring society exco was arrested this afternoon after he was told to go to the Penang MACC office to meet with the commission’s officers.

Lawyer R.S.N. Rayer told reporters that the order for his arrest came from the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya.

“We were asked to come and meet the officers after 2pm. We met them and Phee’s statement was taken.

“While that was being done, we were told there was a fresh instruction from MACC in Putrajaya to place him under arrest. I don’t know the reason for the arrest. He had been cooperating well to assist investigations.

“I understand that Phee may be taken to court tomorrow morning for remand. I have put in appeal for him to be released tonight but there are no assurances given.”

Rayer, who was with Phee at the MACC office, declined to elaborate on the ongoing investigation, but he told reporters that it was related to some letters issued by Phee.

“I think it is over the illegal factory issue. MACC had gone to Phee’s office this morning to take some documents. They wanted to record his statements with regard to the documents.”

An illegal carbon-filter processing factory in Sg Lembu, Bukit Mertajam, has been running for more than a decade on farm land in an oil palm estate. MACC and various federal authorities raided the factory yesterday. 

Locals complained that its operations polluted the environment and claimed inaction by the relevant authorities. 

In the last state legislative assembly several months ago, the issue was raised with the state government explaining its action against the illegal factory. – August 11, 2017.