Opposition party DAP today alleged a "cover-up" after Deputy Internal Security Minister Johari Baharum was cleared of graft allegations following a lengthy probe of the claims.

But the probe found no evidence linking Johari to corruption after allegations he received RM5 million to free dangerous criminals, state media quoted Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail ( photo ) as saying.

"As a result, the attorney-general ordered ACA investigations... against Johari Baharum to be closed," a statement late Wednesday to Bernama news agency said.

But the ACA (Anti Corruption Agency) decision has angered the government's opponents.

"For Abdul Gani to direct that the case be closed when the key witnesses cannot be located is premature and gives the unfortunate impression of a cover-up," DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng said today.

Lim also said there has been "a public contradiction and confrontation" between Johari and the police.

ACA report on IGP

Abdul Gani's statement that the probe had closed came as Johari filed a counter report with the ACA against police chief, Musa Hassan, on Wednesday.

Reports circulating on the Internet allege Musa received a bribe of RM2.1 million to release a group of gangsters, according to Bernama .

Johari said he made the ACA report after failing to receive an explanation about the Internet reports from police.

The now-concluded ACA probe of Johari began in March with questioning of the criminals concerned and analysing statements of accounts, Abdul Gani said.

"ACA investigations found that these criminals denied giving any bribes to Johari Baharum," Abdul Gani, but adding that several key criminal witnesses could not be traced.

Johari has always denied the corruption allegations.

Abdullah was elected in 2004 in a landslide vote on the back of an anti-graft campaign.

But opposition politicians and anti-corruption watchdogs say progress has been slow, with few meaningful reforms.