KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief commissioner Datuk Seri Mohd Shukri Abdull could have jumped the gun by revealing issues concerning the investigation into 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
National Council of Professors (MPN) Politics, Security and International Affairs Cluster secretary Prof Datuk Dr Abdul Halim Sidek said this was especially when Shukri called the graft-busting commission’s former chief, Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad, a traitor.
He said calling someone a traitor without substantial proof was tantamount to slander.
“A civil suit can also be taken against the person making such allegations under the Defamation Act of 1957,” he said.
Meanwhile, lawyer and activist, Azhar Harun said Dzulkifli could file a civil suit against Shukri if he was defamed.
“He can also lodge a police report for criminal defamation,” he said.
Lawyer Latheefa Koya was also on the same page as Azhar and Abdul Halim.
“If Dzulkifli is not happy he can sue,” she said.
Earlier today, Shukri had labelled Dzulkifli as a “traitor”, accusing him of protecting those who violated the law.
Shukri - who was at the centre of the 1MDB investigation concerning funds credited into former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s private account, said that he could not bear to work under Dzulkifli Ahmad, whom he said lacked integrity.
“I didn’t want to work under him because I take him to be a traitor to the nation.
“He should work to make a case stronger, not protect those who are wrong.
“When he came here, he was appointed as my superior. I said, this is a big mistake and I can’t work under a traitor,” he said at a tell all press conference.
Shukri said that this then prompted him to seek early retirement.
