We're not challenging AG's authority: MACC chief

The MACC today said it was not trying to challenge attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali's authority.

This was after the MACC operations review panel (ORP) in its meeting yesterday recommended that the commission re-submit its investigations on SRC International to the attorney-general.

"The MACC takes note of the advice and recommendations by the OPR at its meeting yesterday and hopes this matter is not misinterpreted as challenging the attorney-general by any quarters.

"I would like to emphasise that prosecution powers are with the attorney-general as stipulated under Article 145(3) of the Federal Constitution," said MACC chief commissioner Abu Kassim Mohamed in a statement.

Apandi had earlier refused the anti-graft body's recommendation to prosecute.

The ORP had also asked MACC to request Apandi to invoke the Mutual Legal Assistance so that the commission could obtain overseas banking information.

This would help it complete its investigations into the RM2.6 billion that was deposited into Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's personal bank accounts. -Mkini