Authorities have launched a probe into a lawmaker who reportedly earned more than 300 million yuan ($48.24 million) after he was contracted to run a public cemetery in Lufeng, Guangdong province.

The Guangdong Provincial Department of Civil Affairs has also asked the civil affairs bureau of Lufeng to investigate.

Illegal contracts by individuals and companies involving public cemeteries should be terminated, according to a department notice quoted by Nanfang Daily on Tuesday.