DAP chairperson Lim Kit Siang today urged the cabinet to press for the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) to resolve conflicting reports on the status of its investigations into the business dealings of former MCA president Ling Liong Sik and his son, Hee Leong, in 1997.

Lim said the cabinet should take over investigations from the ACA or appoint a special investigator for the case since the agency has shown itself incapable of acting in a transparent manner in the handling of such high-profile cases.

"It is most shocking that despite my re-visit to the ACA headquarters in Putrajaya yesterday, the agency was unable to end and resolve the two conflicting versions.

"(This) had not only torn the ACA's policy of new transparency into shreds but also plunged public confidence on its effectiveness, efficiency, independence and professionalism to a new low," he said in a press statement.

ACA investigations into several controversial business deals carried out by Hee Leong and now-disgraced businessman Soh Chee Wen came into focus once again last week.

Two officials told Lim (photo) that the agency had completed its investigations six months ago and had discovered no wrongdoing.

Deputy director of investigations Ahmad Mandus also said that the agency was investigating separately an obstruction of investigations case against Ling after Soh claimed in a malaysiakini interview last year that the former MCA chief directed him to lie to investigators.

However, ACA director of investigations Nordin Ismail was quoted the next day by the Malay-language press as saying that the agency had reopened the first case following Soh's allegations.

On seeking clarification, Lim received a letter from Ahmad Mandus yesterday reaffirming that investigations had been completed.

Open or closed?

Apparently still dissatisfied, Lim is now insisting on an explanation from either ACA director-general Zulkipli Mat Noor or Nordin.

"The letter that I have received only repeats what the deputy director says. But the letter does not clarify or explain that Nordin was wrong. Only one of these two versions can be right - whether the case has been closed or is still open," Lim said.

Lim's meeting with the ACA officials came about after he requested an update on the complaints he had lodged since 1997 over several multi-million ringgit corporate takeovers undertaken by Hee Leong, who was only 27 then.

All senior ACA officials are said to be abroad and are therefore, unavailable for comment. They are expected to be away until next week.