MACC duo reinstated

Datuk Bahri Mohamad Zin (2nd from right), one of the two MACC officers ordered to move to the Prime Minister's Department last week. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, August 10, 2015.

The two anti-graft officers who were abruptly transferred out in the midst of a police probe into the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) have been reinstated and will not take up their new postings at the Prime Minister's Department, a minister said today.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim confirmed this when contacted by The Malaysian Insider this morning.

This means that MACC director of special operations Datuk Bahri Mohamad Zin and its strategic communications director Datuk Rohaizad Yaakob will remain at the commission.

The decision was made after a meeting between MACC and Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Ali Hamsa, as well as the Public Services Department, earlier today.

"After listening to their explanation on why they gave the statements to the media, I have decided to cancel the transfer orders of the duo," said Ali in a statement today.

Meanwhile, checks showed that the two directors returned to their respective offices at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya this morning.

MACC in an immediate response said the agency welcomed the government's decision to cancel the duo's transfer orders, describing it as "good and appropriate".

Its deputy chief commissioner (prevention) Datuk Mustafar Ali in a statement today thanked Ali and Public Service Department director-general Tan Sri Zabidi Zainal for their consideration.

"MACC will continue executing its duties and responsibilities in a free, transparent and professional manner, as stipulated in the MACC Act 2009 and the agency's own  aspirations," he said.

Bahri and Rohaizad's transfer was announced on Friday following the arrests and questioning of seven MACC officers by the police, who were investigating the anti-graft body for alleged leaks of official information on debt-ridden state investor 1Malaysia Development Bhd.

Police said they were investigating who leaked information to whistleblower website Sarawak Report, as well as the alleged leak of a purported draft sheet against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak which the website published.

Bahri had spoken critically of the police's actions against his men, which included raids on the special operations division offices, while Rohaizad had received a group of opposition politicians who turned up at the MACC headquarters to show support.

Bahri has denied that the leaks came from within MACC.

The special operations division that he heads is also investigating a former 1MDB subsidiary, SRC International Sdn Bhd.

Following public outcry over interference, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar on Saturday announced that police would temporarily halt its probe into MACC over the alleged leaks.

- TMI