KUALA LUMPUR, July 29 ― Datuk Dzulkifli Ahmad’s appointment as the new Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner will assist the agency particularly in issues surrounding 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) said today.

IDEAS chief executive Wan Saiful Wan Jan said the libertarian think tank was sad to see Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed resign as MACC chief commissioner, but noted that Dzulkifli, who used to head the National Revenue Recovery Enforcement Team at the Attorney-General’s Chambers, has experience in recovering stolen assets.

“His experience in this field can only help ​the MACC in its tireless work in fighting corruption, particularly in addressing the ongoing 1MDB issue and other cases involving the loss of billions in public funds,” Wan Saiful said in a statement.

"Our foremost hope is that Datuk Dzulkifli will be as open to working with civil society as Tan Sri Abu Kassim has been.

“IDEAS cultivated a close relationship with the MACC over the years, particularly in our campaign to empower and strengthen the MACC through institutional reforms. Datuk Dzulkifli would do well to continue this culture of openness,” he added.

Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Ali Hamsa announced earlier today the appointment of Dzulkifli as the new MACC chief commissioner, as well as the transfer of MACC deputy chief commissioner (prevention) Datuk Seri Mustafar Ali to the Immigration Department as director-general. Both appointments will be effective on August 1.

Ali's statement confirms Malay Mail Online's earlier reports on Dzulkifli’s and Mustafar's new roles in the government.

Malay Mail Online reported Thursday that Dzulkifli’s salary scale was upgraded to the Jusa A Superscale in order to pave the way for his appointment as MACC head.

Abu Kassim is relinquishing his post as MACC chief commissioner on August 1 after heading the anti-graft agency for six and a half years that saw, during his tenure, investigations of a company linked to state investment firm 1MDB and the RM2.6 billion transfer to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's accounts.

The appointment of Dzulkifli comes even as the MACC is currently working with the US Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigations on alleged money laundering linked to 1MDB.