KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Abu Talib Othman has urged Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Datuk Seri Mohd Shukri Abdull to ‘remain quiet’ and focus on the probe into 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
Abu Talib, who chairs the special committee investigating the 1MDB issue, says this is necessary to ensure that the probe is unaffected, as there could be elements of prejudice involved if Shukri continues issuing statements on the matter.
“There is a risk that the 1MDB probe could be affected if someone involved in the investigation openly issues statements of that nature.
“My personal view is that it is better not to make such statements as it can give rise to prejudice with regards to the investigation, and even affect criminal proceedings, if any.
I think there should be less talk, more work,” he told the media after a meeting of the committee at Menara Ilham, on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, Shukri had claimed that he was subjected to immense pressure and threats during the course of his investigation of SRC International, a 1MDB subsidiary.
He had claimed that he and then-MACC chief commissioner, Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed had met with several Cabinet ministers to urge them to act against then-prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Meanwhile, Abu Talib said there is no conflict of interest between his role in the committee and the special team probing 1MDB.
“The committee I head will streamline their operations to match the work done by the special team,” he said.--Reports by Mohd Anwar Patho Rohman, Nurhayati Abllah and Amir Hisyam Abdul Rashid