Whatever the reasons for the government not re-appointing Ahmad Zaki Husin when his two-year term came up for renewal, the reaction of many who know him and admire his vigorous approach to tackling corruption both in the public as well as the private sectors is one of disbelief.

Here, after all, is a man who has clearly demonstrated by his innovative initiatives and other effective ways of dealing with the extremely difficult issues of corruption, that he has the ethical and moral strength to confront corruption decisively.

His one-term appointment, given his active campaigning against corruption within the government as well as his recent focus on the corporate sector, appears to support widely-held perceptions that he has become a threat to certain vested interests.

It does not look good that his appointment should come to an abrupt end at a time when the Anti-Corruption Agency is just beginning to regain public confidence. To change horses in mid-stream, even at the best of times is something to be avoided. His departure will break the momentum that he has set and the lack of continuity cannot but impact negatively on the effectiveness of the Anti-Corruption Agency.

Could his highly-developed sense of independence have had anything to do with his early professional demise?