Malaysian graft official dropped

By Jonathan Kent
BBC News, Kuala Lumpur

Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi thanked Mr Zulkipli for a good job

The head of Malaysia's anti-corruption agency is to stand down amid allegations of graft.

Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi announced that Zulkipli Mat Noor's contract, which expires Saturday, will not be renewed.

Police are questioning Mr Zulkipli after a former senior colleague raised questions about his business and property interests.

Mr Zulkipli, a former policeman, has denied the allegations.

Election speculation

Sacking people is not the Malaysian way.

Instead, a statement from the prime minister's office praised Mr Zulkipli and expressed the highest gratitude for his efforts since he took up his post six years ago.

Still, as of midnight Saturday, the head of Malaysia's anti-corruption agency will have no job after six years holding the post.

Police officers started taking statements from him last week.

The former police officer will be asked about allegations of sexual misconduct and how he was apparently able to amass interests in several businesses and buy half a dozen properties on a civil servant's meagre salary.

The investigation was launched after the agency's former head in the state of Sabah went public with his concerns.

The termination of Mr Zulkipli's contract will add to speculation that Malaysia will face an early general election later this year.

The prime minister's last campaign against graft flared up just weeks before the 2004 polls and according to critics, quickly died down again afterwards.