Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will announce soon if the tenure of embattled Anti-Corruption Director (ACA) director-general Zulkipli Mat Noor will be extended or otherwise.

"I will announce soon," he was quoted as saying by Bernama when quizzed on the matter today.

The premier was speaking to reporters after chairing the Third National Water Resources Council meeting in Putarajaya.

Zulkipli, a former high ranking police officer, landed in the spotlight following the exposure of a report which contained explosive allegations, ranging from corruption to sexual assault, against him.

The embattled anti-corruption chief was appointed to head the ACA in 2001.

Following this, his tenure was extended by both former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Previously, it was reported that Abdullah had extended the contract until 2008.

Zulkipli is currently being investigated for alleged corrupt practice and threatening witnesses. He has denied the allegations.

The report which contained the allegations was penned by former ACA Sabah director Mohd Ramli Manan just prior to his retirement last December.

On March 6, ACA deputy director-general Ahmad Said Hamdan revealed that Zulkipli's contract is expected to expire this month.

Pay rise for cops

Meanwhile, the prime minister also said the government is considering a salary rise for the 97,000-strong police force.

He said the Public Service Department (PSD) was studying the request by Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan at the recent National Implementation Task Force meeting.

"The PSD is working on the request and will forward its recommendations (to the government for consideration). As to the quantum of the raise is a detailed matter (to be studied).

"But I admit the salary drawn by policemen now is not high. This may lead to other problems related to corruption and so forth," he said.

He said the PSD study on salary increase was for the entire police force.

Asked when a decision would be made, he said: "I don't know when, let the PSD forward its initial views."

In a special interview to mark the bicentennial celebrations of the Royal Malaysia Police, Musa had said the force needed at least a 20 percent salary increase.