Newly-appointed Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Dzulkifli Ahmad said today God will be his guide in facing the "daunting task" of fighting graft in the country.

Dzulkifli was from the Attorney-General's Chambers and started his new job today, replacing Abu Kassim Mohamed as the MACC number one.

"In carrying out this mandate, I am aware and conscious of the word of Allah SWT in the Quran, verse 27, Surah Al-Anfaal, which means – 'O you who believe! be not unfaithful to Allah and His Messenger nor be unfaithful to your trusts while you know.'

"This reminder by Allah SWT will perpetually be my light and guidance in performing the heavy task that awaits me," Dzulkifli said in a statement.

He said he was aware of the high expectations placed on him, and hoped to receive cooperation from MACC and relevant bodies in meeting his objectives.

Dzulkifli, 48, handled several high-profile corruption and criminal breach of trust cases while at the AGC, including against National Feedlot Corporation chairperson Mohamed Salleh Ismail.

Mohamed Salleh, who is Wanita Umno chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil's husband, was acquitted of RM49.7 million criminal breach of trust charges last year.

Dzulkifli's last position in the AG Chambers was head of the National Revenue Recovery Enforcement team. Prior to this, he headed the anti-money laundering unit.

Dzulkifli also served as secretary to the special task force on 1MDB, replacing Jessica Gurmeet Kaur after Mohamed Apandi Ali succeeded Abdul Gani Patail as attorney-general.

His role in clearing Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak of wrongdoing after the task force's investigation raised concerns in civil society on whether MACC would reopen files on Najib and his links to 1MDB.

"It would appear that these files will now remain tightly closed in MACC even in the light of the actions of the United States Department of Justice," National Human Rights Society (Hakam) chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan told Malaysiakini.