FORMER Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Abu Kassim Mohamed met Prime Minister Dr Mahathir  Mohamad today, fuelling speculation that he would return to his old job as the country’s top graft-buster, Bernama reports.

Abu Kassim entered the Perdana Leadership Foundation about 8.30am and was there for well over an hour. He was replaced as MACC chief by Dzulkifli Ahmad, 50, in August 2016. Dzulkifli was seconded from the Attorney-General’s Chambers. His contract was terminated on May 14, and has returned to the AGC. 

Approached by reporters after the meeting with Dr Mahathir, Abu Kassim said: “I only conveyed my views on several specific matters, which Tun Mahathir felt he should know.”

Asked whether the meeting had anything to do with his possible reappointment as MACC chief commissioner, Abu Kassim said: “I do not wish to say anything about that. The announcement must come from the prime minister.”

Abu Kassim was part of the special task force formed by then attorney-general Gani Patail to investigate the dealings of 1Malaysia Development Bhd in June 2015. Other members of the task force included then inspector-general of polic Khalid Abu Bakar, and then Bank Negara governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz. However, the task force was disbanded in August that year after its convenor, then attorney-general Gani Patail was sacked by Najib Razak.   

At a press conference yesterday, Dr Mahathir said appointments to several positions in the government, including MACC chief commissioner, must have the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. – May 14, 2018.