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

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

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

He said all matters concerning Latif’s portfolios were suspended. Administrative-related matters would be referred to the state secretary and other policy-related matters would be handled by the menteri besar.

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

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

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

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

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

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