The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) advisory panel has disclaimed its chairperson’s statement that its members were satisfied with attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail’s explanation on his alleged relationship with ex-MAS boss Tajudin Ramli.

In a statement today, the MACC’s Consultation and Corruption Prevention Panel said that it had met on Jan 10 and resolved that its chairperson Ramon Navaratnam’s statement on Jan 4 on the matter was his “personal judgment”.

“The panel also agreed that investigation by the MACC will continue where necessary to ensure the truth or otherwise of any allegations made against the AG,” it said.

However, the panel also resolved that the Navaratnam, as its head, was authorised by the MACC management to respond to questions from the press on the commission's meeting with Abdul Gani.

Among those who attended the Jan 10 meet were Navaratnam, Anis Yusal Yusoff, Azman Ujang, Ishak Tambi Kechik, Zainal Abidin Abdul Majid, Prof Abdul Rahman Embong and Robert Phang.

gani patailAbdul Gani (left) had come under fire in recent weeks after allegations surfaced on the Internet, alleging that he had links with Tajudin, who is being investigated by the MACC.

Abdul Gani was alleged to have performed the haj together with Tajudin’s associate Shahidan Shafie, according to anti-BN website Malaysia Today.

Phang has been among the most fervent campaigners for Abdul Gani to publicly clear the air over the matter in recent weeks but the latter and Shahidan have remained mum.

Gani initiates dialogue with MACC

After much public pressure, Abdul Gani initiated a dialogue with MACC's top brass, committee and panel members on Jan 4. 

According by a report by Star the following day, Navaratnam told the daily that his panel was satisfied with Abdul Gani's explanation. 

This was subsequently refuted by Phang and Ishak.

tajudin ramliTajudin (left), who was MAS chairperson from 1994 to 2001, had been blamed for the national carrier's massive losses amounting to at least RM8 billion in the past.

His legacy includes the relocation of MAS Kargo's operations from Amsterdam and Frankfurt to a single hub in Hahn, Germany.

Then commercial crime investigation department chief Ramli Yusof had recommended that action be taken against Tajudin but the AG's Chambers did not press charges.

This was despite MAS' and the federal government's decision to file a civil action against Tajudin.

Although police investigations have been completed, the MACC revealed last month that it is still pursuing a probe on Tajudin, claiming that "new evidence" have been found.