Dzulkifli Ahmad's appointment as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief shows the government does not appreciate his predecessor's work, said former MACC special committee member Salahuddin Ayub.

Salahuddin, who is also Parti Amanah Negara deputy president, said in a statement today that it was disappointing the new chief of the anti-graft body was chosen from outside the commission.

He added that many who attended the farewell dinner for the MACC senior officers last Friday shared this view.

“It is clear that Dzulkifli's appointment shows that the Najib government does not appreciate the MACC team that Abu Kassim Mohamed set up," the former Kubang Kerian MP said.

Salahuddin added that Abu Kassim had made many changes in the anti-graft body's administration during his time as its chief.

Dzulkifli was a senior officer with the Attorney-General's Chambers before his appointment as the MACC chief commissioner, replacing Abu Kassim.

Dzulkifli's last position in the AG's Chambers was head of the National Revenue Recovery Enforcement team.

Salahudin believed his appointment was personal, and pointed to the 1MDB scandal, which implicated Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and had affected the integrity of the country's administration.

“Hence, I feel that the appointment of an 'outsider' to lead MACC was deliberate, to ensure that Najib is cushioned from all the allegations that are hotly discussed worldwide to this day,” he said.