Abu Kassim to issue statement after consulting lawyer

KUALA LUMPUR: Outgoing Malaysian-Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed (pix) will issue a statement to explain the police report lodged by Umno Youth, alleging him for conspiring two others to unseat the government.
In stating this, he said he would have to engage with his legal counsel before making any public statement.
Abu Kassim, who was surrounded by his bodyguards, seemed reluctant to respond to questions thrown by media personnel over the police report made by Umno Youth deputy chief Khairul Azwan Harun.
"I do not want to comment tonight ... I will come out with a statement after I engage with my lawyer.
"Tomorrow, I will come out with a proper statement," he told reporters after attending a MACC appreciation dinner for his retirement at Pullman Hotel here.
Khairul Azwan lodged a police report today, alleging Abu Kassim, former Bank Negara Malaysia Governor Tan Sri Zeti Akhtar Aziz and former Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail of being involved in a conspiracy to topple Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak.
In the report, Khairul Azwan said the trio had handed documents and confidential information to foreign agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Zeti, who was also present in the event, refused to comment when asked on the matter.
Earlier in his farewell speech, Abu Kassim thanked the government for granting him the opportunity to helm the commission in 2010.
He said throughout his tenure, the government had provided the MACC with continuous support, such as financial assistance.
Abu Kassim also commended the media for their role in disseminating the work of MACC, stating that the fourth estate, as one of the most important segment, needed to be alongside the commission.
"Thank you for your criticism and also for your assistance to explain the truth. Without the media, the work of MACC would not be made known," he said.