MACC boss says not under pressure to step down

Putra Jaya: Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohammad says he was not pressured to step down as Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner, and the decision to do so was his own.Abu Kassim said he chose to shorten his tenure as MACC chief two years ahead of time because he was offered to serve as a visiting expert at the International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA).

"I said before that I would not step down due to pressure. This decision was my own to make.

Abu Kassim said he is looking forward to focusing on his roles at international level in his capacities as the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities vice-president, and as a member of the Board of Governance of the International Anti-Corruption Academy in Austria.

"At the same time, I also want to contribute my experiences and expertise with Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM)," he told a press conference today.

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The press conference was held hours after his impending departure on Aug 1 was announced by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa.

Abu Kassim said he was among the longest-serving MACC chief commissioners, having held the role for almost six years compared to others, who served between three and four years.

Abu Kassim said he had actually applied three times to reduce his tenure as the MACC chief commissioner.

"Only on the third try did the Government agree to accept my application," he said, thanking the Government for presenting him with the opportunity to head the MACC since 2010.

He said he would continue to serve as a government servant until his mandatory retirement in 2020.

"I will continue to be in the civil service but not with MACC," Abu Kassim said. Abu Kassim's contract as Chief Commissioner was supposed to end on Dec 4, 2018, but the date was brought forward to Aug 1 this year.

When asked who would be his successor, he replied that the successor would be appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, upon the advice of the Prime Minister, as per the MACC Act.

He said Deputy Chief Commissioner (operations) Datuk Seri Mohd Shukri Abdull would be retiring in October.

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"There have been many cases throughout my six years as Chief Commissioner. I am satisfied with how all of it has been handled. We have brought many changes to the MACC, and over the years we have received a lot of international acclaim for the way we do things here," he said.

In February 2011, Abu Kassim was at fourth place in the list of 100 persons who were influential in business ethics for 2010 in an index issued by the Ethisphere Institute based in New York.

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