KUALA LUMPUR, May 17 — Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today named Datuk Seri Mohd Shukri Abdull as the new Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief.

Shukri retired two years ago as the MACC deputy chief commissioner.

He replaces Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad.

"We have appointed Mohd Shukri because he has the experience as being part of MACC.

"He has a lot of expertise and knowledge in handling the current criminal activities. He fought against any wrongdoings in the MACC and Najib’s role in blocking investigations,” said Dr Mahathir, adding that the appointment is effective upon the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s Sultan Muhammad V approval.

Mohd Shukri stepped down in 2016 after 32 years of service, shortly after his boss then-MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed resigned.

Dzulkifli replaced him immediately after a reshuffle that saw all top three officers in the MACC replaced.

Abu Kassim and Mohd Shukri resigned while the third of the rank was Datuk Seri Mustafar Ali who was transferred to the Immigration Department as the director-general.

Mohd Shukri was in tears at his farewell speech when addressing 1,000 MACC officers for the last time.

He stated that Abu Kassim and he were accused of attempting to overthrow the government.

He related the police report lodged by certain parties against Abu Kassim, former Bank Negara Malaysia governor Tan Sri Zeti Akthar Aziz and former Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail for allegedly wanting to overthrow Najib.

The police report was lodged by Umno Youth vice-chief Khairul Azwan Harun.