MACC chief Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed today said he was in the operation room to undergo a surgery when news of the two MACC officers who were ordered to transfer to the Prime Minister’s Department broke.

“I was told to rest two days before my operation and to avoid disturbance, my phone was also taken away,” he said in an interview on MACC.fm here today.

“At the time when our officers were pulled to the PM’s Department, I was in the operation room. I didn’t know,” he added.

“It happened while I was away. But alhamdulillah, all our MACC officers were working together as a team and stayed united,” he said.

Abu Kassim said he wished he was with his men when the fiasco took place but said he was unable to do so due to his health conditions.

The MACC personnel, Special Operations Division director Datuk Bahri Mohamad Zin and Strategic Communications Director Datuk Rohaizad Yaakob were transferred to the PM’s Department on Aug 7 but the order was rescinded on Aug 10.

READ: Two MACC directors transferred to PM's Department

READ: Transfer of two MACC officers cancelled

The transfer letter from the Public Service Department (JPA) reportedly stated that the two were transferred over 'disciplinary problems'.

Abu Kassim said it was during the Ramadhan month that he knew about his illness but had continued working with the medications prescribed until he was admitted for a surgery.

He also reiterated that he will not be resigning anytime soon due to health issues.

He dispelled talks on his resignation as rumours adding that his exit is a "subjective matter for now".

“As long as I am well, I will lead the MACC. But, what will happen in future, we don’t know. If I am sick, it is another matter,” he added.