Opposition pact Pakatan Harapan politicians want answers from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) whether its special operations division - which has handled high-profile cases including the 1MDB scandal - is being downsized.

Amanah deputy president Salahuddin Ayub called for an official statement from the commission to explain why the division was reportedly to have been trimmed.

“Lately, there is a need for the division to be strengthened. Especially since we have been exposed to new developments in relation to the 1MDB scandal which call for the case to be re-opened,” said Salahuddin in a statement.

Weighing in on the matter, DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang opined that news of the alleged downsizing of the special operations division, which had handled prominent cases related to 1MDB and Felda, seemed to paint a negative picture of Malaysia's commitment to fighting graft and holding perpetrators accountable.

"The message is very clear – MACC should arrest and prosecute more 'ikan bilis' but it should leave the 'ikan yu' alone," he said in a statement.

He lamented that China can catch and imprison “tigers” while Indonesia net the “crocodiles” in their anti-corruption campaigns, but Malaysia cannot go on a spree against the "sharks" in its backyard.

Malaysiakini, quoting a source familiar with the development, had reported that the division responsible for breaking several major cases in the past was being scaled down or facing restructuring.

The division was formed less than five years ago to investigate high-profile cases involving politicians, or bribes involving amounts over RM1 million.

It is not immediately known whether the alleged move was sanctioned or supported by new MACC chief commissioner Dzulkifli Ahmad, the source had said.

Among the division's cases include SRC International Sdn Bhd, a former 1MDB subsidiary now under the Finance Ministry.

Other cases that came under its radar are the Felda purchase of hotel property in London and the water infrastructure corruption case in Sabah.

Meanwhile, Salahuddin said Amanah would be “extremely disappointed” if the report on the downsize was indeed true.

“We hope Dzulkifli can explain the matter to ensure that the commission will continue to be seen as capable and full of integrity in fulfilling their responsibilities to the country,” he said.

Malaysiakini has contacted MACC, including Dzulkifli, for comments on the matter but has yet to receive a response.

Last year, the MACC was reported to have questioned Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak for two and a half hours over the RM42 million of SRC money and the RM2.6 billion ‘donation’ found in his personal bank accounts.

Attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali, however, cleared Najib of any wrongdoing earlier this year.