Transfer of 2 Malaysia anti-graft commission officials to PM's office cancelled

Rohaizad Yaakob (left) and Bahri Mohamad Zin will not be transferred to the Prime Minister's Department (PMD), according to an MACC source. PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

PETALING JAYA (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) directors Bahri Mohamad Zin and Rohaizad Yaakob will not be transferred to the Prime Minister's Department (PMD).

Chief Secretary to the Government Ali Hamsa has revoked the transfer orders for the duo as he is satisfied with their explanations.

Tan Sri Ali Hamsa said in a statement that the two directors had been reinstated to their previous positions effective immediately on Monday.

"The Public Service director-general (Tan Sri Mohamad Zabidi Zainal) and I had met with both officers and they had explained their actions in issuing media statements.

"Following the explanation, I have decided to cancel the transfers and that they are to return to their positions at the MACC," he said.

The MACC welcomed the decision to cancel the transfer.

MACC deputy chief commissioner Mustafar Ali said the decision was a wise move.

"We also like to thank Tan Sri Ali Hamsa and Public Service Department director-general Tan Sri Mohamad Zabidi Zainal as well as others involved in the issue.

"The MACC will continue to carry out its duties and responsibilities independently, transparently and professionally in accordance with the MACC Act 2009 and Aspiras," he said in a statement on Monday.

The Star Online was told that the decision was made after a meeting between the commission and Government chief secretary Ali Hamsa and Public Service's Department director-general Zabidi Zainal in Putrajaya on Monday morning.

Datuk Bahri, MACC's special operations director, and Datuk Rohaizad, its strategic communications division director, were informed of their transfers to the PMD with immediate effect last Friday.

Both have chosen to keep mum over their cancelled transfers.

"Ask my boss, he is back," Mr Bahri told awaiting reporters upon leaving the commission's headquarters at 1.30pm on Monday.

He was ushered into an awaiting vehicle soon after exiting the building.

MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Mohd Shukri Abdull, who heard of the news of the two transfers while overseas, was rushed into a special meeting with deputy chief commissioner (prevention) Mustafar Ali and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Paul Low after his flight landed at Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 9.40pm on Sunday after an official visit to New York.

The meeting was said to have lasted 10 to 15 minutes, but Datuk Seri Shukri did not disclose what was discussed.

Mr Shukri had asked for his two officers to be returned and to take him as a replacement. He said that he was ready to take the officers' places as they were only carrying out his orders.

Mr Shukri was flanked by several bodyguards and a few MACC representatives when escorted out of the airport's VIP lounge.

When asked to comment on MACC matters, Mr Shukri said: "Let me settle everything all right? Let me settle everything."

Meanwhile, Mr Rohaizad, who was transferred together with Mr Bahri last Friday, appeared in a good mood and smiled to reporters. He, however, declined to comment on his reinstatement.

Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said last Saturday that police investigations into the source of the leak of information that was published in Sarawak Report would be temporarily stopped.

Tan Sri Khalid also reiterated that the investigations were into the source of the leakage and not targeted at MACC itself.

To date, seven MACC senior officers and directors have been detained and questioned in the midst of MACC's own investigation into RM4 billion of funds related to SRC International Sdn Bhd, a former 1Malaysia Development Berhad subsidiary.

Mr Bahri, who was among several officers questioned by Bukit Aman police in connection with the leakage of information, was quoted as saying that he vowed to "find perpetrators who are ordering the arrests" of MACC officers.

Mr Bahri was believed to have been transferred over his criticism of the police investigation on MACC officers.

Mr Bahri was among those questioned by Bukit Aman in connection with the leakage of information in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd investigation.

It is believed the transfer of Mr Rohaizad could be due to his "soft approach" to opposition leaders when they visited the MACC headquarters on Thursday.

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