GEORGE TOWN: Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission officers today visited Sungai Lembu to speak with the residents over the illegal carbon filter factory nearby.
The officers were seen seated with the village committee chairman Tan Sing Lee and two others at a coffee shop in the area.
They were seen talking for nearly an hour.
Members of media had stumbled upon the meeting while covering DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang’s visit to the village an hour before the arrival of the MACC officers.
Tan said the MACC officers informed him this morning that they would be visiting the villagers to interview them today.
However, he said, that the MACC officers had informed them to go to their office in Butterworth to give their statements after seeing the large number of media members in the area.
“They could have taken our statements at the village but when they saw there were many members of the media here, they said we have to come to their office,” he said.
Tan said the officer gave them a written order to be present at the office to have their statements recorded.
He added that while it was a hassle to go to the MACC office in Butterworth, he did not mind if it meant action will be taken the illegal factory.
“The villagers have been suffering with the pollution from the factory for years.
“We have complained so many times to the authorities that we nearly gave up. So, we are glad for any action that would give us reprieve,” he said.
He said the fumes from the factory, which was usually worst at night, and depending on the direction of the wind, had lessened since the Department of Environment ordered the factory to be closed.
“Can you imagine having to live with the fumes for 10 years, with the factory operating on a daily basis?” he asked.
Tan said he would cooperate with MACC in every way possible.
Sungai Lembu village development and security committee (JKKK) secretary Yeo Keng Chuan said he would be accompanying Tan to the MACC’s office.
Meanwhile, an MACC spokesman said that they were recording the statements of the residents as part of their investigation.
“We are calling several people, including Penanti assemblyman Dr Norlela Ariffin, to have their statements recorded.
“We spoke to three villagers, who also held positions in the JKKK and have called them to our office,” he said.
Norlela, when contacted, said she has been called by MACC to give her statement next week.
The lawmaker, who is still recovering from a stroke, would be giving her statement at the MACC office in Selangor, where she is currently on hospitalisation leave.
“They tried to contact me to see me this week but I have been unwell as I am on electrocardiogram (ECG), 24 hours for two weeks. I was informed they want to see me next week,” she said.
Norlela also stressed that she had not reported the Sungai Lembu issue to MACC.
“After I was threatened when I asked a question in State Legislative Assembly Sitting this year, I did go to the police but I didn’t lodge an official report.
“Another Seberang Perai Municipal Council office who was threatened had filed a report. Maybe the police could have reported (the matter) to MACC,” she said, adding that she now fears for her safety.