Penang CM questions need to investigate LTH-1MDB deal under OSA

GEORGE TOWN: Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng today questioned the decision by police to investigate the leak of confidential documents pertaining to Lembaga Tabung Haji's (LTH) purchase of land from 1Malaysia Development Berhand (1MDB) under the Official Secrets Act (OSA).
According to him, the decision was rather odd because the matter involved public interest and does not affect national security.
"If it affects the national security of the country I can understand the need for the investigation, but this is a matter of public interest , so I feel its a bit weird ", he said during a press conference after presenting cheques to three Penang's Punjabi schools at his office today.
Lim said under the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) Whistle Blower Protection Act , the person who provides the information which involves public interest should be protected and not investigated.
"I think the matter of public interest should be given space or discussion and should not be threatened with intimidation or fear", he said.
He also hopes that Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar safeguards the interest of the public and takes necessary action on anyone who committed the crime, involving LTH and 1MDB.
"Please don't be seen as the guardian of 1MDB , try to be the guardian of the people's interest", he said.
Earlier Lim announced a special allocation in the form of financial assistance to three Punjabi schools in the state .
The schools are Khasa Dharmic School in Jalan Gurdwarwa , Punjabi Education Centre in Butterworth and Punjabi Education Centre in Bayan Baru.
Each school received RM25,000 as a means to assist the schools to run their daily operations.