PUTRAJAYA is not wasting any time in replacing newly resigned Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Dzulkifli Ahmad.

Barely hours after the resignation, four names have already been floated as Dzulkifli’s replacement.

Topping the list is former MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Mohd Shukri Abdull, current director-general of Immigration Department Mustafar Ali and two others whose names have yet to be confirmed.

Mustafar was MACC deputy commissioner (prevention) prior to his posting at the Immigration Department.

It is understood that meetings are ongoing to determine the right candidate for the post.

Sources said that Dzulkifli held a meeting with Chief Secretary to the Government Ali Hamsa at 8am today, where he handed in his resignation.

Terms of his employment denote a one-month notice to be served at the end of a five-year contract.

Dzulkifli was only appointed in 2016, thus serving only two of his five years. It is unsure if he will be taking leave throughout the one month, or resume working as usual until the notice ends.

It is understood that Dzulkifli had asked for a transfer to his old post in the Attorney-General’s Chambers.

His last position in the AGC was head of the National Revenue Recovery Enforcement team. Prior to this, he headed the anti-money laundering unit.

Dzulkifli also served as secretary to the special task force on 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), replacing Jessica Gurmeet Kaur after Mohamed Apandi Ali succeeded Abdul Gani Patail as attorney-general.

Sources say that as a civil servant, Dzulkifli cannot be sacked unless there is evidence that implicates him to criminally related offence.

Hours after his resignation, the atmosphere at the MACC office remained calm.

“Things remain normal at the office. No sign of boxes or anything. We also not sure who is replacing our boss,” said a source in MACC.

Dzulkifli was subject of an investigation over an affair with a married woman. However in March, then former deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi cleared him of any wrongdoing.

In a written reply to Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo, Zahid said the case was closed as there was no evidence to compel further pursuit of the matter. – May 14, 2018.