Newly-appointed MACC chief commissioner Latheefa Koya should emulate Dewan Rakyat Speaker Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof and quit PKR to avoid calls of conflict of interest, said PKR lawmaker and Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil.
"In order to avoid any, whether it is a conflict of interest or calls of partisanship, I believe it is imperative that Latheefa distance herself and not be a member of any party.
"I believe, as in the case of the Speaker of the House, the MACC chief should also be neutral and not be part of any party. This is my personal belief," he told Malaysiakinitoday.
Latheefa is a member of PKR and previously PKR legal bureau chief. Her appointment as MACC chief replacing Shukri Abdull was announced earlier today.
Mohamad Ariff was formerly Amanah disciplinary chief and a member of the experts' advisory committee but he relinquished those posts shortly his appointment as Dewan Rakyat Speaker last year.
"In order to avoid any, whether it is a conflict of interest or calls of partisanship, I believe it is imperative that Latheefa distance herself and not be a member of any party.
"I believe, as in the case of the Speaker of the House, the MACC chief should also be neutral and not be part of any party. This is my personal belief," he told Malaysiakinitoday.
Latheefa is a member of PKR and previously PKR legal bureau chief. Her appointment as MACC chief replacing Shukri Abdull was announced earlier today.
Mohamad Ariff was formerly Amanah disciplinary chief and a member of the experts' advisory committee but he relinquished those posts shortly his appointment as Dewan Rakyat Speaker last year.
"I think Malaysians will view this appointment in a positive light, so long as we make it clear that she does not represent any party in exercising her duties as the new MACC chief," he said.
Despite that, Fahmi said her appointment as MACC chief is "historic", as this is the first time a woman will lead the commission.
PKR information chief Shamsul Iskandar Akin also called Latheefa's appointment part of women empowerment in Malaysia.
Although she does not have any background in enforcement, he said she has a "dynamic record" as a lawyer and activist.
"In terms of integrity and credibility, I think she has that capital. Judging from her previous experience of fighting corruption in the old regime, these (qualities) will be the strong points for her appointment as MACC chief," he said.
When asked whether there would be a conflict of interest for someone politically-linked to PKR to lead the anti-corruption commission, Shamsul pointed out that Latheefa no longer holds any position in the party.
In a statement today, PKR vice-president Zuraida Kamaruddin also congratulated Latheefa on her appointment, saying that it was a positive step towards empowering women's involvement in Malaysia's decision-making process.
"With an impressive professional background, Latheefa who is a lawyer and activist, is the best choice by the Malaysian government in its effort to reform the administration towards having more integrity and becoming more transparent.
"As an experienced lawyer, she has handled many high-profile cases which involved public interest," Zuraida said.
"With an impressive professional background, Latheefa who is a lawyer and activist, is the best choice by the Malaysian government in its effort to reform the administration towards having more integrity and becoming more transparent.
"As an experienced lawyer, she has handled many high-profile cases which involved public interest," Zuraida said.
Meanwhile, when contacted by Malaysiakini, PKR's Sungai Petani MP Johari Abdul said he would reserve his comments and merely congratulated Latheefa on her appointment.
It was reported earlier today that Shukri resigned as MACC chief prior to the expiration of his contact on May 17, 2020.
Latheefa, who is the executive director of Lawyers for Liberty, is on a two-year contract effective June 1, 2019.
Shukri was first appointed as the MACC chief commissioner in May last year, after Pakatan Harapan won the 14th General Election. - Mkini
Latheefa, who is the executive director of Lawyers for Liberty, is on a two-year contract effective June 1, 2019.
Shukri was first appointed as the MACC chief commissioner in May last year, after Pakatan Harapan won the 14th General Election. - Mkini
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