Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission deputy commissioner (Prevention) Mustafar Ali said today his remarks about donations and corruption are not related to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's RM2.6 billion donation.

"I was only commenting on the matter when asked by journalists explain the definition of 'donations' and 'corruption' based on the MACC Act, and legal arguments," Mustafar said in a statement.

He also stressed that he was not involved in the investigation into the RM2.6 billion deposited into Najib’s personal bank accounts.

Mustafar ( photo ) said this in response to two YourSay articles in Malaysiakini today that are critical of his remarks.

One is titled "What do you call RM2.6b ‘donation’ found in personal account?" and the other , "MACC, stop giving your own definition of ‘donation’."

The Malaysiakini readers’ comments carried in the two YourSay articles are based on an article published by the news portal on Sunday, quoting an Astro Awani report.

In the article titled "MACC: Not all donations are bribes", Malaysiakini wrote that the graft buster must study donations thoroughly before these could be classified as corruption.

This includes looking at who gave the bribe, to whom and what influence was used, Mustafar said.

"We can't be quick to judge. For example when someone gets married or has a child, we give gifts, no? This is the tradition in Malaysia.

"But look at the context, who gave it, and the possibility that it is an 'official deal' related to the work for the donor and the receiver," Mustafar had said.

His comment came amid mounting public anger over a RM2.6 billion donation received by Najib.

The donation, received before the 2013 general election, allegedly came from a Middle Eastern donor to help Umno stay in power and as gratitude for Malaysia's efforts to combat terrorism.

Najib has cited the MACC's acknowledgement that it was a donation as a means to clear himself.

However, MACC has said it is still investigating the donation, and plans to interview the prime minister.