Malaysian lawyer Mah Weng Kwai has stepped down from his appointment as commissioner of Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption following criticisms levelled against him.

Mah, who is also the president of the Law Association of Asia and Pacific (Lawasia), cited "perception of some lawyers who considered that the appointment might be interpreted as a political statement by Lawasia" as his reason for his resignation.

"I took on the role in a personal and non-political capacity, but I can appreciate that it might be portrayed as a political stance," Mah said in a press statement from Lawasia secretariat.

Mah said he decided to resign from his position after consulting with professional colleagues.

"Lawasia is a non-political organisation of lawyers which focuses much of its activity on human rights and which steadfastly refrains from engaging in domestics politics," Mah said.

"If my appointment is to be confused with Lawasia's agenda, then the simplest course of action is to withdraw my acceptance from the outset as I regard the role and reputation of Lawasia paramount," he added.

Corruption reason for coup

Sources at a meeting of the association's executive committee in Hong Kong said Mah had told the meeting on Tuesday he would not take up the job in Fiji following the criticism.

Fighting corruption in Fiji has been highlighted by self-appointed interim prime minister and coup leader Voreqe Bainimarama as a focus of his government.

Voreqe said the alleged corruption of the government of Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase was one of the primary motivations for his Dec 5 coup last year.

The president of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association, Graeme Mew, had written to the association last week asking it to take a stand over Mah's Fijian appointment, The Fiji Times said Tuesday.

"The CLA is extremely concerned that the appointment will lend credibility to the interim government of the Republic of Fiji which seized power in a military coup in December 2006," Mew's letter reportedly said.