Speculation Rises As Former MACC Chief Meets PM

PUTRAJAYA, May 17 (Bernama) -- Former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Abu Kassim Mohamed had a meeting Thursday with Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Abu Kassim entered the Perdana Leadership Foundation building at about 8.30 am and was there for well over an hour, raising speculation as to whether the meeting was over his possible reappointment as the MACC chief commissioner. Abu Kassim was replaced in August 2016 as the MACC chief commissioner by Dzulkifli Ahmad, 50, whose secondment as the MACC chief commissioner was terminated on May 14, 2018, and he has returned to serve in the Attorney-General’s Chambers. The secondment was to have been from Aug 1, 2016, to July 31, 2021. Approached by reporters after the meeting with Dr Mahathir, Abu Kassim said: “I only conveyed my views on several specific matters which Dr Mahathir felt he should know.” Asked whether the meeting had anything to do with his possible reappointment as the MACC chief commissioner, Abu Kassim said: “I do not wish to say anything about that. The announcement must come from the Prime Minister.” At a press conference on Wednesday, Dr Mahathir said appointments to several positions in the government, including MACC chief commissioner, must have the prior consent of the Malaysia's King, Yang di-Pertuan Agong. -- BERNAMA