Malaysian anti-corruption chief dumped amid graft allegations: report

KUALA LUMPUR, March 31, 2007 (AFP) - Malaysia's top anti-corruption official, who is facing a police investigation into graft allegations against him, will not have his contract renewed, a report said Saturday.







Malaysians believe their country has an "acute" corruption problem, international monitor Transparency International said recently, warning the issue could drive away foreign investors.

Zulkipli Mat Noor's contract to head the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) expires Saturday, according to the official Bernama News Agency, which said the prime minister's department announced just before midnight Friday that it would not be extended.

No reason was given, Bernama said.

Zulkipli, 57, has refuted the graft allegations -- made last July by former ACA officer Mohamad Ramli Manan -- saying that accusations of unaccounted wealth were "baseless".

"The government takes this opportunity to express the highest gratitude and thanks to Zulkipli for his services as the ACA director-general," Bernama quoted the prime minister's department as saying.

Malaysian police have begun questioning Zulkipli, a former senior policeman, over the allegations.

Parliamentary opposition leader Lim Kit Siang sa