The Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on Major Public Appointments has been taken to task for its statement that it wished for new MACC chief Latheefa Koya to brief the committee of her vision and mission in leading the anti-graft body.
Lawyer and activist N Surendran said calling in Latheefa, a public servant, for such matters was a “waste” of her time.
“You want to ask her about her 'vision and mission'? Is this a joke? Go read the MACC website, their ‘vision and mission’ is there for all to see. Why waste the time of a public servant? What's the motive?” he tweeted yesterday.
Surendran, a former PKR lawmaker and current Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) adviser, also posted yesterday that while the PSC could call in a public servant for a briefing, it should not have issued statements to the media repeating alleged “politically-charged” criticism levelled against Latheefa.
“Right. It's ok to call this public servant for a briefing but it was inappropriate to issue media statement which regurgitated the same politically-charged attacks made on her appointment over the past two weeks.
"PSC's actions reflect upon the Dewan Rakyat itself - be responsible, serious and fair in your work,” he said.
Yesterday’s tweet came in response to one posted by lawyer and former Bersih chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan, who questioned the PSC briefing: “Is this a briefing or inquisition?”
Right. It's ok to call this public servant 4 briefing, but inappropriate to issue media st which regurgitates d same politically-charged attacks made on her appt over d past 2wks. PSC's actions reflect upon d Dewan Rakyat itself; be responsible, serious & fair in ur work
See N.Surendran's other Tweets
PSC chief William Leong had reportedly said the committee would call upon Latheefa on June 20 to answer questions on three aspects of the controversial MACC posting.
The first would be on her impartiality as a former politician, followed by her vision and mission in fighting corruption and lastly, her plans to overcome her lack of experience in investigating corruption cases.
These were issues raised by various quarters following the sudden departure of former MACC chief commissioner Mohd Shukri Abdull earlier this month and Putrajaya’s sudden announcement on Latheefa’s appointment to the role.
Prior to her appointment, Latheefa was LFL executive director and a long-time PKR member who held numerous posts in the party, including in the central committee.
Shukri has since clarified that his decision to shorten his contract, one year before its expiry, was voluntary and long-planned.
Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, however, admitted that it was his decision to pick Latheefa due to her courageous and honest nature and that he had not consulted his own cabinet in doing so.
Despite criticism of his unilateral decision, which also bypassed the PSC formed by the government in December to scrutinise candidates appointed to major public positions, the premier stated his decision was final.
The PSC was part of the Pakatan Harapan's election manifesto which pledged that key national appointments to government agencies, including the MACC, must be approved by a suitable parliamentary committee to reduce the ability of the prime minister to intervene in these important appointments.
However, it has since been established that while the PSC could summon witnesses for questioning and compel the government to justify its decision, it was not mandated to actually change any appointments. - Mkini
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