Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (MACC) officers were at the headquarters of Ho Hup Construction Company Bhd, a company alleged to have done renovations for attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail’s house.

NONEPopular political blog Malaysia Today broke the news late yesterday evening, calling the incident yesterday afternoon a “raid”.

When contacted, a Ho Hup official, who did not want to be named, said the incident was merely a short visit.

“It was not a raid as portrayed and they were here to question my boss. However, as he was not around, they waited for 10 minutes, until he arrived.

“After having a short discussion, they left,” the official said, adding that the MACC spent less than 30 minutes at the premises.

Asked whether the MACC officers took any documents with them as alleged, the official replied in the negative, and added he did not know what the visit was about.

Phone calls and text messages to MACC director of investigations Mustafar Ali and chief commissioner Abu Kasim Mohamed to obtain clarification went unanswered.

AG should take leave pending probe

The Ho Hup-Gani link was first raised by Malaysia Today, which claimed the attorney-general had helped the company’s former director, Vincent Lye, to topple his rival Low Tuck Choy.

On Jan 26, Low was charged in court for non-timely disclosure of his interests in the company.

Malaysia Today alleged that Gani had received gratification in form of a RM18,000 renovation job for a bungalow in Seremban. Copies of invoices and cheques were posted on the site to back the claims.

Gani has since denied the allegations and said he does not own any property in Seremban.

NONEMeanwhile, social activist and former MACC adviser Robert Phang (right) told Malaysiakini that Gani should go on leave pending investigations.

“This is what I did when I resigned from as an MACC advisory board member, when an allegation surfaced in a blog that I was involved in corrupt practices.

“I resigned as I did not want to bring the MACC into it and disrupt investigations. Gani should do the same and maintain the good name of the AG’s Chambers. A mere denial does not absolve him,” Phang said.