Former Bank Negara Malaysia governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz is seeking legal counsel over the police report lodged by Umno Youth vice chief Khairul Azwan Harun today.
Khairul Azwan alleged Zeti, former attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail and outgoing Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission chief Abu Kassim Mohamed gave false documents to foreign agencies as part of a conspiracy to topple the prime minister.
"I am not going to say anything without my legal counsel," Zeti told reporters in Kuala Lumpur.
She was met at Abu Kassim's farewell dinner to mark his last day in office today.
Abu Kassim told reporters he will respond in a statement later.
"I do not want to comment tonight. I will come out with a statement tomorrow," he said.
Abdul Gani, meanwhile, described the allegations as a publicity stunt.
"These frivolous allegations are publicity seeking stunts with no substance. Attempts at character assasination would only trigger a backlash and undermine the goverment in the long run," he told Bernama.
Abdul Gani further reiterated that he had always acted professionally in the course of his work and will continue to work professionally in all his future endeavours.
Media commended
Earlier in his speech, Abu Kassim had commended the media for supporting the MACC, including through reporting on criticisms against the agency.
He also urged the media to continue reporting the truth on all issues.
Asked why he had then chosen to evade media questions tonight, Abu Kassim merely said, "Get the truth from them (Umno Youth)."
In his speech, Abu Kassim credited various individuals who helped him transform the former Anti-Corruption Agency into its current form as the MACC.
Top of the list was the then prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi whom Abu Kassim said had convinced him to assume the position of MACC's deputy director in 2009.
He also described then de facto law minister Nazri Aziz as a "warrior" who had fought and defended amendments to the law that became the MACC Act.
Abu Kassim had assumed the role of MACC chief commissioner for six years and seven months.
'Abu Kassim won’t do that'
When met earlier, Kepong MP Dr Tan Seng Giaw said he believed that Abu Kassim would never do what was alleged in the police report.
"Human beings do all sorts of things. But Tan Sri Abu Kassim would not do anything like that. I am sure as I have known him for a few years," he said.
Tan also dismissed concerns over alleged foreign intervention linked to the United States Department of Justice's civil suit to recover assets purchased with funds purportedly siphoned from 1MDB.
"If we have done nothing wrong, what is there to be afraid of? Just come out with the truth," said Tan who is a member of MACC's Advisory Board.
Others present at the dinner included current and past members of MACC's five advisory panels. - Mkini
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