Zeti, Abu Kassim to consult lawyers over conspiracy allegations

(The Star) – Umno Youth vice-chief Khairul Azwan Harun alleged in his report that Zeti, Abu Kassim and Gani provided falsified documents to foreign agencies to topple Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Former Bank Negara governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz (pic) and outgoing Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed will consult with their lawyers over allegations by Umno Youth in a police report that they conspired to topple the Prime Minister.

Former Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, who was the third person named in the report, described the allegations as a publicity stunt.

It was alleged by Umno Youth vice-chief Khairul Azwan Harun in his report that Zeti, Abu Kassim and Gani provided falsified documents to foreign agencies to topple Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

“I am not going to say anything without my legal counsel,” Zeti told reporters at Abu Kassim’s farewell dinner to mark his last day in office on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Abdul Gani told Bernama that the allegations were a mere publicity stunt without any substance, while the attempts at character assassination would trigger a backlash and instead undermine the Government in the long run.

“I do not want to comment tonight, I will come out with a statement after I engage with my lawyer,” said Abu Kassim, adding that he commended the media for their work to obtain the truth.

In his speech during the dinner, Abu Kassim thanked various individuals, most notably, former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who convinced him to assume the position of MACC’s deputy director and Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, who was then the de facto law minister in 2008, who fought and defended the amendments to the law that became the MACC Act 2009.

Abu Kassim was MACC chief commissioner for six years and seven months.