Datuk Abd Latif Bandi has taken indefinite leave after his son and special officer were arrested by the MACC for alleged involvement in corruption and property scam in Johor. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa

ISKANDAR PUTERI, March 1 — Datuk Abd Latif Bandi has taken indefinite leave as the Johor Housing and Local Government Committee chairman, starting today.

Members of the media were made to understand that Abd Latif, whose son and special officer were arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for alleged involvement in corruption and property scam in the state, had asked for the leave approval from Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin this morning.

He was said to have held a brief meeting with the menteri besar at the latter’s office at 9.30 am before the scheduled state executive council (exco) meeting took place.

“He goes on leave to settle all issues involving his family and officer,” said State Education, Information, Cooperatives and Entrepreneur Development Committee chairman Datuk Md Jais Sarday, who confirmed the matter to the media in Kota Iskandar.

He said all matters concerning Abd Latif’s portfolios were suspended, while administrative-related matters would be referred to the State Secretary, and other policy-related matters would be handled by the menteri besar.

Elaborating, Md Jais said the leave application did not mean that Abd Latif was involved in the issues.

“He (Abd Latif) is neither involved in the investigations nor the accusation. We have to be clear about that,” he stressed.

Md Jais said the corruption issue was not even discussed in the exco meeting today.

Instead, he said the menteri besar had only informed the councillors about Abd Latif’s leave application.

On February 24, six men, including Johor state councillor’s son and special officer, were arrested by the MACC for alleged involvement in corruption and property scam in the state.

Yesterday, a contractor, was also arrested in connection to the cases. — Bernama