Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail has reportedly been replaced ahead of his retirement date in October and amidst the ongoing special task force probe on 1MDB, which he is involved in.
The matter was revealed by government news agency Bernama , chief secretary to the government Ali Hamsa released a statement this morning stating that Abdul Gani's services were terminated early due to the latter's "health problems".
When contacted, Abdul Gani ( photo ) appeared surprised about the news.
His replacement was stated as Federal Court judge Mohamed Apandi Ali.
"The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, on advice from the prime minister, has consented to Apandi's appointment as the attorney-general effective July 27.
"Abdul Gani will continue serving the country as a judicial and legal service officer until he undergoes mandatory retirement on Oct 6, 2015," he said in a statement today.
According to sources, Najib and his entourage were spotting leaving the Agong's palace this morning.
Gani ( photo ) turns 60 on Oct 6, the mandatory age of retirement for civil servants.
Ex-Umno man
Incidentally, Mohamed Apandi is 65-years-old. He is formerly the Kelantan Umno treasurer.
Ali's statement makes no mention if either Abdul Gani or Mohamed Apandi will be involved with the special task force probing allegations of financial misappropriation in 1MDB.
This includes the allegation that RM2.6 billion had been channelled into Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's personal bank accounts.
The special task force has already detained at least five people in connection with the case and seized documents from the offices of 1MDB and companies linked to it.
Among his notable verdicts as Federal Court judge was when he overturned the Kuala Lumpur High Court's verdict allowing the Catholic Church's organ The Herald to use the term "Allah".
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