Cabinet has no objections to Latheefa’s appointment, says Azmin

Latheefa Koya took over as MACC chief from Mohd Shukri Abdull early this month.

GOMBAK: Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali today said the Cabinet had not raised any concern over Latheefa Koya’s appointment as MACC chief.

Azmin said the ministers, during their weekly Cabinet meeting, had agreed to her appointment.

“Yes,” he said when asked if all the ministers had agreed to her appointment.

Azmin was speaking to reporters after a Raya open house organised by Masjid Bukit Antarabangsa here.

He said the prime minister had followed procedures in making a suggestion to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on who should be MACC chief.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had said it was his personal decision to appoint Latheefa to the post and that he did not consult the Cabinet on the matter.

However, he added that he had “listened to many people” before making Latheefa his choice

The prime minister said he would be “tied” if Cabinet were to decide on the matter.

“I am free to evaluate and make the appointment,” he had said.

The appointment had drawn brickbats from both sides of the political divide.

Critics said the appointment should have gone through the Parliamentary Select Committee on appointments to government agencies.

Others said Pakatan Harapan’s GE14 manifesto had made it clear that it was against political appointments. Latheefa had been a PKR member before her appointment but has since resigned from the party.

Latheefa replaced Mohd Shukri Abdull, whose contract was allowed to expire ahead of its deadline on May 17, 2020. - FMT