Penang Deputy Chief Minister Mansor Othman said a preliminary report on his special aide, who was nabbed by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission for alleged bribery to cover up a sexual harassment case involving a civil servant "has proven nothing".

NONEMansor (left) said the report he received upon his return from Mecca yesterday was based on internal interview with the aide, 56-year old Zainal Abidin Saad.

When asked if there is a panel to probe his aide over the allegations, Mansor said "there is nothing to probe".

"What is there to probe when Zainal Abidin is only a witness in the case?" he asked when contacted.

Zainal Abidin himself has denied - in a statement late last night - that he was a suspect in the case, but admitted he was detained overnight in a MACC lock-up as a witness.

He said he was shocked to read news reports on his case which made him appear as a wrongdoer, adding that he was considering legal action against those who continue to blemish his reputation.

Penang PKR appears adamant in defending their member and the reputation of the DCM's office which has been tarnished by the incident.

NONETo this, Mansor said that PKR was preparing a legal team for Zainal Abidin (right), who on Jan 3 was arrested by MACC in Seberang Jaya with two others, including former Seberang Perai Tengah district officer (SPT DO) Roslan Yahaya.

Roslan has since been demoted from his post and transferred to the state secretariat office, while the new SPT DO is Jusni Ismail.

The trio was nabbed for allegedly trying to offer a RM30,000 bribe to a clerk to silence her allegation of sexual harassment against the DO.

On whether Zainal Abidin's position as his aide and a staff of the state government would be affected, Mansor said "no".

"He is a contract staff of the state government. At the moment, both positions will not be affected," said the state PKR chief.

DCM Mansor's aide: I am witness, not suspect