PETALING JAYA: A former Transparency-International Malaysia president has criticised the appointment of lawyer Latheefa Koya as the new Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief, saying it will affect the agency’s credibility.
Akhbar Satar, who was formerly with the Anti-Corruption Agency before it became known as MACC, said that the new MACC chief should have come from within the agency’s ranks.
“MACC’s work revolves around investigations, so the MACC chief must have the necessary experience.
“People can say that Latheefa is a lawyer but leading an investigative agency requires different skill sets. How can she advise those under her when she does not have the experience,” he told FMT.
Akhbar said that even though Latheefa has resigned from PKR, everything she does will be questioned due to her political past.
“She really has to act without fear or favour, otherwise there will be people who will doubt her actions and this will not be good for MACC,” he said.
Akhbar said a politician should never be appointed to head an agency like MACC, and even if they were to resign, it would not change how the public views them.
“Pakatan Harapan has broken its own manifesto promise and this will reflect badly on them. Even now, many are voicing their displeasure online.
“The government must explain its decision to appoint Latheefa. Surely, there is at least one qualified candidate within the MACC’s ranks.”
Latheefa’s appointment has already come under criticism, with questions being asked as to why it did not go through the Parliamentary Select Committee on public appointments.
The committee’s chairman, Selayang MP William Leong, said he was in the dark about it and that he would call for a meeting soon.
Latheefa replaces Mohd Shukri Abdull, whose contract was allowed to expire ahead of its deadline on May 17, 2020. - FMT
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