GEORGE TOWN: State executive councillor Phee Boon Poh was arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) yesterday.
His arrest was in connection with investigation by MACC into an illegal carbon filter factory in Sungai Lembu, Bukit Mertajam.
Phee, who is state Environment, Welfare and Caring Society committee chairman, was arrested when giving his statement at the state MACC office at Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah here.
MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Azam Baki confirmed the arrest.
"Yes, I can confirm that he (Phee) has been arrested and we will obtain a remand order on him tomorrow (today)," he told the New Straits Times when contacted.
Meanwhile, sources close to the investigation told the NST that Phee was being investigated for abusing his power.
"It has to do with a letter that he has written before," the source said.
Phee, 65, who was accompanied by his lawyer R.S.N. Rayer, arrived at the MACC office about 2.30pm.
Rayer, who left the building about two hours later, told newsmen that there was an instruction from the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya for Phee to be arrested.
"We have been asked to see the MACC officers here at 2pm and we came. Phee's statement was taken, and it was then we were told there was a fresh instruction to place him under arrest
"I do not know why he is being arrested but it might have to do with some letters issued by Phee with regards to the illegal carbon filter factory in Sungai Lembu," he said.
Rayer said MACC officers were in Phee's office in Komtar yesterday morning and had taken some documents with them.
"They wanted his statement with regards to those documents and we have cooperated. We came here as witness.
"I am baffled as to why they have to place him under arrest," he said, adding that he had appealed to the MACC officers to release Phee later.
At about 11.30am yesterday, five MACC officers raided Phee's office in Komtar and left the building more than an hour later with a bag of documents.
Later between 5.30pm to 7pm, MACC officers were seen at Phee's house in Butterworth.
Sources said the documents were linked to the operations of the illegal carbon filter factory.
On Thursday, MACC raided the factory, its office as well as the Licensing Department office of the Seberang Prai Municipal Council in Bandar Perda, Bukit Mertajam.
MACC officers were seen entering the council's building about 10.30am and left three hours later with bags of documents.
A 70-year-old factory supervisor was also detained for questioning.
Phee was first elected as Bagan Jermal assemblyman from 1990 to 1995.
In 2004, he was elected as Sungai Puyu assemblyman and appointed as the state opposition leader.
He was subsequently re-elected as Sungai Puyu assemblyman in 2008 until now.
Meanwhile, a candle light vigil was for him at 9.30pm outside of the state MACC office.