Phee to sue over disclosure of RM2m in accounts (Updated)

GEORGE TOWN: Penang exco member for Welfare, Caring Society and Environment, Phee Boon Poh has denied that he has RM2 million in his personal bank accounts as reported in several newspapers on Monday.
Phee said he has not been served with any notice by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) that his personal bank accounts were frozen.
"I have just been discharged from hospital after taking medical leave. I am shocked as to how these BN - controlled newspapers can gain access to these information," he read out from his statement during a packed press conference at Komtar today.
He said it is wrong for such information to be disclosed or published in the press, especially when he was not informed and only read it in the newspapers.
He said he would be filing a defamation suit against Utusan Malaysia, New Straits Times ,The Star , Sin Chew Jit Poh as well as the other media outlets that he claimed were out to destroy his reputation and the image of the Penang government.
On Monday, several media outlets had published an article stating that four of Phee's personal accounts were frozen by MACC pending investigations into an illegal carbon-filter factory in Sungai Lembu, Bukit Mertajam.
Today was Phee's first day at office after he was released from remand last Monday.
The MACC and other federal enforcement agencies on Aug 10 raided the illegal factory after receiving complaints from residents in the nearby village.
Phee and two senior management personnel of the factory were detained the day after the raid.
MACC initially obtained a five-day remand order against the trio but Penang High Court set aside the order on the three.
Also in the press conference were Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and all state exco members who welcome Phee back to the office today.
Phee's counsel R. S. N Rayer meanwhile said it is irresponsible for MACC to have leaked the information.
"Can you imagine having the world know that he has RM2 million, he does not have that kind of money but even if it is true , it definitely exposes Phee and his family to an unnecessary risk," he said, adding it is also irresponsible for the media outlets to have leaked the information to public.
Rayer also said he has not been informed officially whether or not Phee's accounts have been frozen by MACC.