"Don't make your personal problems become the government's problems."

This is the message given to Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail by former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission advisory panel member Robert Phang.

Phang, who is known for being outspoken, said Gani had briefed the five MACC panels on Jan 4 that he would engage with the media and with the public to explain his controversial haj pilgrimage.

"It has been two months since the meeting, and I do not see Gani coming forward to explain his side of the story.

NONE"It has been alleged by a blogger that Gani and his family went for pilgrimage with a 'shady' character. I am not saying the person is ‘shady', but am merely repeating what the blog posting alleged," Phang (left) said.

"Please do not make your own problems to be the government's problems. Come out and explain, since you are holding a powerful, senior post in government."

Phang, a former Transperancy International member, said this in a tell-all teh tarik session organised by Malaysian digest.com yesterday evening.

Although Phang did not name the "shady character", the person has been widely reported to be Shahidan Shafie, who is associated with former Malaysia Airlines (MAS) chairperson Tajudin Ramli.

NONE"Gani came under fire late last year, after allegations surfaced on the Internet that he had links with Tajudin, who is being investigated by the MACC.

Phang has been among the most fervent critics of Gani (right) and has publicly demanded that the AG clears the air over the matter. However, both Gani and Shahidan have remained mum.

Gani has made an explanation to the MACC, but some of the panel members are said to be not satisfied with his explanation.

'MACC doing its best to fight corruption'

Phang said the MACC was doing its best to curb corruption.

He said MACC chief commissioner Abu Kasim Mohamed had privately told him that neither the prime minister, nor any other person, had stopped MACC from carrying out its investigations.

"When they complete their investigations, they will pass them to the public prosecutors for further action. It will be then up to the attorney-general to decide whether to prefer charges," he said.

"Some people have criticised the MACC of practising selective prosecution. However, I can vouch that it carried out the investigations. It is only that it is not given prosecution powers," he said.

This, Phang added, could hamper the MACC's efforts to fight corruption, but that the commission was working hard to curb this.