KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 — Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail was not terminated from office as Attorney-General (AG) but had declined a renewal offer as he suffers from kidney failure, sources close to the government said today.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the sources added that Abdul Gani has however agreed to remain in government service until October when he will then officially retire having reached the mandatory pension age.

“He has got kidney failure and undergoes dialysis three times a week.

“PM had offered him a renewal but he did not accept. In view of his ill health, the government decided to appoint a new AG,” one of the sources told Malay Mail Online.

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The Sabah-born Abdul Gani has served as AGT for nearly 13 years and will celebrate his 60th birthday on October 6.

As AG, Abdul Gani was part of the multi-agency special taskforce that is investigating 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

Abdul Gani was removed from office yesterday but the news was only announced by Chief Secretary to the government Tan Sri Ali Hamsa today, sparking speculation over his unexpected removal and sending the rumour mill into overdrive, reinforced by his immediate remarks claiming ignorance of the matter.

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“I don’t know, OK? I don’t want to say a word right now,” he told Malay Mail Online over the phone when asked when the decision was made.

Prior to his appointment as AG in January 2002 succeeding Tan Sri Ainum Mohd Saaid, Abdul Gani gained prominence as the lead prosecutor in the first sodomy trial of former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.