PUTRAJAYA, May 22 — New Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner today revealed the challenges he had to endure while probing SRC International Sdn Bhd.
“There was even a point I was threatened to get fired for investigating the case,” said Datuk Seri Mohd Shukri Abdull, during a tell-all session to the press since he took office yesterday.
He then explained he was followed all the way to the United States by a personnel from former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s administration in July that year.
Mohd Shukri explained that during that period, tensions were high back home, as then Attorney General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail had just been relieved of his duties by ex-PM Najib.
Mohd Shukri headed to the United States to seek for a temporary safe haven, but said he still felt unsafe despite being there.
He then related how he had to spread lies that he was on a plane to Saudi Arabia, for fear of being followed, when instead he boarded a flight to the United States.
“There were people waiting to arrest me in Jeddah if I had landed there, but instead I flew to Washington,” he said.
“I reached Washington DC and me and my team noticed I was being followed by someone,” he said.
Mohd Shukri explained how he and his team took photos of the person and immediately alerted the then Inspector General of Police to track the person that followed him.
“I didn’t feel safe in Washington, so I boarded a train to New York, where I met a friend working with the New York Police Department (NYPD).
“Once there, I received protection in the form of three bodyguards from the NYPD and then only I felt safe, before returning to Washington,” he said.
Mohd Shukri said he had also received text threats that were directly sent to him via Whatsapp, while some were sent to his then boss, Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed.
Mohd Shukri added he even received threats from a former member of Parliament.
“I am not going to reveal who it is, but an MP from a northern state famously known as Cash King, approached me twice and asked me ‘what do you want?”.
“He told me if I were to mention the case again he would do everything in his power to get me arrested,” said Mohd Shukri.
He also explained how, despite receiving threats, Mohd Shukri never resorted to lodging a formal police report.
“I was weary because I feared the report and its contents would go viral, or I would never know the outcome of the case.
“But today we are in a new Malaysia, with a new government, so if I feel it is possible (action will be taken), then I’ll lodge a report,” he said.
