Abu Kassim doesn't want MACC chief position but will assist - source

Former MACC chief Abu Kassim Mohamed does not want to return to his old position with the commission, according to a MACC source.

However, the source said Abu Kassim has agreed to assist with restoring the commission's reputation after it took a beating when its investigation into SRC International and RM2.6 billion scandals were stonewalled by the previous BN government.

"Abu Kassim will not return as MACC chief and he himself does not want the position.

"But he is willing to assist in restoring the MACC's image," the source told Malaysiakini.

The MACC source added that there was a shortlist of potential candidates for the position and it could be known as early as tomorrow. 

Among the shortlisted names were former MACC deputy commissioner (operations) Shukri Abdull and his present successor Azam Baki, according to the source.

Other names, said the source, include Mustafar Ali, who was involved in the RM2.6 billion and SRC investigations but was transferred to the Immigration Department. Also mentioned was former solicitor-general Abd Majid Hamzah.

Earlier today, Teoh Beng Hock's family had spoken against Abu Kassim's possible return to the top position as he had presided over MACC in 2009, when Teoh was found dead after he was subjected to gruelling interrogation techniques. 

Teoh was at that time a DAP political aide.

Abu Kassim also presided over MACC during its investigation into the multi-billion ringgit deposits in then prime minister Najib Abdul Razak's personal bank accounts in 2015.

Several MACC officers investigating the case were arrested by police while others were transferred. Abu Kassim retired a year later, so did several other MACC officers.

He was replaced by Dzulkifli Ahmad, who today resigned as MACC chief.

Newly-minted Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamed had accused the MACC under Dzulkifli of failing to act on the 1MDB matter, which is tied to the RM2.6 billion deposits. SRC was also a former subsidiary of 1MDB.

Najib claimed the money was a "donation" from a member of the Saudi Arabia royal family and denied wrongdoing.

Mahathir led Pakatan Harapan to end BN's 61 years as the ruling coalition since independence in the May 9 general election. -Mkini