Chief of Malaysia's anti-graft body to step down in August

Mr Abu Kassim Mohamed has requested to step down as chief commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). PHOTO: THE STAR/ ASIA NEWS NETWORK

KUALA LUMPUR (REUTERS) - The head of Malaysia's anti-graft body will step down in August, state news agency Bernama reported on Thursday (June 23), bringing an end to a six-and-a-half-year tenure that included an investigation of Prime Minister Najib Razak.

Mr Abu Kassim Mohamed, the chief commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), requested to step down, Bernama reported, citing the chief secretary to the government. He will leave the post on Aug 1.

Under Mr Abu Kassim, who took over as MACC chief commissioner in the beginning of 2010, the anti-graft body began investigations into allegations of graft and financial mismanagement in state-fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and the transfer of RM2.6 billion (S$863 million) to Mr Najib's bank accounts.

The revelations of the investigations, first reported by the Wall Street Journal in 2015, have shaken investors in South-east Asia's third-biggest economy and dented confidence in the ruling coalition led by Mr Najib's United Malays National Organisation (Umno) party.

Malaysia's Attorney-General Mohamed Apandi Ali cleared Mr Najib of any criminal offences or corruption in January. Mr Najib has denied any wrongdoing and said he did not take any money for personal gain.

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