STAFF at Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission knew about Mohd Shukri Abdull’s intention to quit as chief commissioner before his contract ended next May, said a senior MACC officer.

The source told The Malaysian Insight that MACC staff have accepted the appointment of lawyer and former PKR member Latheefa Koya as their new chief.

The source also said since MACC staff are willing to work with Latheefa, her appointment should no longer be politicised or used to tarnish the image of the agency, amid criticism that the agency would be biased under the leadership of a former PKR member.

Shukri’s desire to end his contract early did not surprise MACC staff, he said.

The former chief had stated his intention to retire once he completed investigations and saw the prosecution of those related to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) and former subsidiary SRC International Sdn Bhd.

“As soon as investigation work into SRC International and 1MDB was completed, he stated his intention to resign but relented when other officers urged him to stay.

“He discussed the matter with the prime minister and went ahead to fulfil his intention.

“What is for certain, is that he did not retire early due to pressure from anyone,” said the source.

Latheefa’s appointment is being politicised by some parties to derail the agency’s other investigations, he said

But the staff are strong and have enough morale to ignore the speculations, he said.

“Some quarters are just using the issue to their advantage to avoid being investigated by the MACC. But our officers will remain focused on their work.”

MACC deputy commissioner (operations) Azam Baki, meanwhile, said he supports Latheefa’s appointment and will work with her.

“We have to give her our full support to fulfil our mandate to investigate graft,” Azam told The Malaysian Insight.

Nevertheless, he said it is still hard seeing Shukri go after having worked closely with him over the years and thanked him for leading MACC through difficult times.

An officer in the agency’s intelligence unit also said Shukri has been his idol because he fought for the truth and defended his officers.

Shukri was appointed as MACC chief on May 18 last year.

He had served with the commission for 32 years before opting for early retirement on July 31, 2016 as deputy chief commissioner (operations).

He had spoken about facing threats over the MACC’s probe into 1MDB in 2015 after a crackdown by then prime minister Najib Razak on MACC and other institutions, and his critics in the cabinet.

MACC completed its investigations into 1MDB last July and Najib was charged the same month with the misappropriation of RM42 million of SRC International funds.

The trial is now ongoing.

Since then, Najib has been charged multiple times for abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and money-laundering over 1MDB-related funds, as well as for tampering with a 1MDB audit report. – June 8, 2019.