The competition authority NMa announced on Thursday that its director Pieter Kalbfleisch is taking immediate leave for an unlimited period.

Kalbfleisch is using the time to prepare his defence in an investigation being conducted by state investigators into the Chipshol project development affair. Kalbfleisch is accused of committing perjury in an earlier hearing into the case.
The long-running Chipshol case began in 2005 when project developer Chipshol went to court accusing local authorities, national government, air traffic control body LVNL and Schiphol airport of working together to prevent it developing a business park close to the airport.
In the intervening years, Chipshol has won damages from various parties, but the part played by the NMa has remained questionable.
According to the NMa, Kalbfleisch is taking holiday and free days and will continue to be paid. He is due to retire from the position at the end of June. Until then, his work will be taken over by board member Henk Don.