July 29, 2016•Update: July 29, 2016
By P Prem Kumar
KUALA LUMPUR
Malaysia has appointed a new anti-graft commission chief, after his predecessor resigned 18 months before his tenure was due to expire amid a probe into links between the prime minister and a debt-ridden state wealth fund.
Chief Secretary to the Government Ali Hamsa announced Dzulkifli Ahmad's appointment as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) chief commissioner for a five-year tenure starting Aug. 1 in a statement Friday.
Ahmad, who is currently the national revenue recovery enforcement team director in the Attorney General's Chambers, will take over from Abu Kassim Mohamed who opted for the early resignation.
Late 2015, the MACC opened three investigation papers on Prime Minister Najib Razak over an alleged $681 million political donation and two probes into former 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) subsidiary SRC International.
Razak was, however, cleared of any wrongdoings in all the cases. The probe into SRC is still ongoing.
On Friday, Hamsa also announced that MACC Deputy Chief Commissioner Mustafar Ali will be shifted to take over as the director-general of the immigration department.
Ali was also actively involved in the anti-graft body's probe of 1MDB and the $681 million political donation.
Mohamed was appointed MACC chief commissioner in January 2010 by the Malaysian King.
He will continue as anti-corruption service officer until he reaches compulsory retirement in December 6, 2020.
