Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed is to discontinue service as per his request as the Chief Commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on Aug 1, said Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa.

Ali said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, as per sub-section 5(3) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Act 2009 (Act 694), had consented to the application by Abu Kassim, 55, to end his service in that capacity by giving a month’s notice.

In a statement issued today, Ali said Abu Kassim would continue to serve as an anti-corruption service officer until his mandatory retirement on Dec 6, 2020.

Abu Kassim was appointed MACC chief commissioner on Jan 1, 2010.

"The Government expresses its gratitude to Tan Sri Abu Kassim who has served the country well in his capacity as the MACC chief commissioner,” Ali said.

He said that with Abu Kassim at its helm, the MACC had discharged its functions with excellence in line with its vision to create a Malaysian society free of corruption based on spiritual values and high morals.

The government also congratulates Abu Kassim on his appointment as a faculty member (guest expert) of the International Anti-Corruption Academy in Austria, a world-renowned anti-corruption institution of excellence under the auspices of the United Nations, he said.

"He (Abu Kassim) will also contribute his experience and expertise as a consultant at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)," he added.

Ali said that at the international level, Abu Kassim would remain Vice-President of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities and a member of the Board of Governance of the International Anti-Corruption Academy in Austria until the expiry of the terms of office.