Attorney-General Mohamed Apandi Ali will go on immediate leave, according to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

At a press conference this afternoon, Mahathir said the government cannot suspend Apandi since no formal report has been lodged against him.

However, he said there are numerous complaints against Apandi, including covering-up wrongdoings.

"It was on this basis, we gave him a holiday," he added.

Mahathir said an investigation can only be carried out against Apandi when a formal report is lodged.

When this happens, he added, Apandi can even be barred from leaving the country.

Solicitor-general Engku Nor Faizah Engku Atek would helm the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) in Apandi's absence.

Previously, Mahathir said the country has no attorney-general, but Apandi clocked in for work, as usual, this morning.

After winning the 14th general election on May 9, the prime minister had trained his guns on the attorney-general, accusing him of hiding evidence related to 1MDB.

Apandi told Malaysiakini that his conscience is clear and denied he had acted against the law.

Meanwhile, Mahathir said he hopes to appoint a new MACC chief tomorrow.

This morning, MACC chief commissioner Dzulkifli Ahmad tendered his resignation in the wake of the prime minister accusing the commission of ignoring widespread corruption. 

Asked about the reason behind the resignation, Mahathir said it was Dzulkifli's choice.

"He can resign or take leave to go on a holiday. If the investigation reveals a case against him, we will take action," he added.

Meanwhile, Mahathir also confirmed that the Immigration Department had compiled a list of leaders and officers who are suspected of wrongdoings from leaving the country.

However, he noted that the "blacklist" was not from the department.

"(There is) no blacklist but we are investigating various officers, heard by the public of (allegedly) committing wrongdoings. And if necessary, we will stop them from leaving the country."

According to Mahathir, instructions were also issued to bar such officers from taking away and burning documents.