PKR & THE ENIGMA OF LATHEEFA KOYA – ATTACK DOG EXTRAORDINAIRE

The debate on the Latheefa Beebi Koya’s appointment as the MACC chief only shows that democracy is alive in the country under the new government. In fact, all citizens are given space to express their gripes and glee in a free democracy. Nevertheless, there can be only one key reason why the appointment of Latheefa as the 5th Chief Commissioner of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) was met with some repeated demurrals.  

If truth be told, there seems to be a clique within Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) questioning her suitability for the position. On the face of it, the opposition against Latheefa is because she had been a vociferous critic of some leaders in PKR. Most of the anti-Latheefa critics are apparently those aligned to one team in PKR.  Some however did not disagree with her qualifications and ability to do the job. Shrouded in pretence, they have put up a front to only disagree with the way she was appointed.

To be honest, the perception of the people in general is that PKR is split into two teams – Team A and Team B. Those perceived as supporters of Team B in PKR have no issue on the appointment of Latheefa as MACC chief. Only some among those perceived as supporters of Team A are making an issue out of this unexpected appointment.  

As expected, the Opposition has taken this opportunity to join in the chorus and create a mountain out of a molehill. The Opposition leaders, many of whom were corrupt during the previous government, were not too happy with the unanticipated and outspoken lawyer Latheefa’s becoming the new MACC chief. The negative voices claim that it is politically not right, referring to the new government’s manifesto, even though the appointment is constitutionally legal. They claim of wanting institutional reforms or that the matter be brought to the Cabinet or the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to be endorsed.  

PKR is seen as a party with two teams

Ironically, this was not their concerns when the Attorney-General, the Election Commission Chairman, the Chief Justice and the Inspector General of Police were appointed by the prime minister prior to this. The PSC did not object when the prime minister made these appointments. There were no petitions or hues and cries even among the Opposition lawmakers.

The prime minister is for certain not aligned to any of these teams in PKR and he has told many times that after his tenure as prime minister the baton will be passed over to the PKR president, God willing. This is the prime minister’s stand and knowing him, he is a man of principles and will stick to his promise. The problem thus solely lies on PKR now, a dominant party in the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition. A split in PKR is not going to bode well for the PH coalition but regretfully the former has done nothing palpable to patch up the apparent wrecks and tears in the party.

Even in the eyes of the ordinary folks PKR is seen as a party with two teams. One team is allied to the party deputy president and the other to the party president. Unfortunately, the party president has been unsuccessful in bringing these two teams together. Either he has failed or his people are not keen to reconcile.

Latheefa as an ordinary member of PKR then was a vocal critic of some leaders in the party. She was then blisteringly but erroneously branded as a member associated with Team B.  And those who came up with a petition against the appointment seemingly were those who were not allied to this team. A petition by a disgruntled group of politicians to get the people’s support on their stand did not gain much traction though, much to the chagrin of the campaigners. The majority, on the other hand, welcomed the appointment of Latheefa, including those incumbents within MACC.

Given the acrimonious split within PKR, no one is surprised that Latheefa’s appointment has also enflamed discontentment between supporters of the two teams.  But then again, thus far nobody has questioned the new MACC chief’s credentials. What they had questioned was the manner how she had been appointed. A lawyer by profession, 46-year-old Latheefa has been an activist and had served as PKR’s central committee member. She was the co-founder of Lawyers for Liberty, a human rights lawyers’ organisation that seeks to protect and promote human rights and civil liberties.

Not the first time an outsider is helming MACC

As pointed out by the legal eagles in the country, “the appointment of Latheefa as the new boss of MACC would have been unconstitutional had she been screened, scrutinised, confirmed and approved by the PSC”. This is similar to the appointments of the Attorney General, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Chief Justice, as the committee is powerless. Neither is the appointment of Latheefa not in line with the MACC Act.  

The PM in this instance has actually acted within the ambit of the Act. What more, this is not the first time an outsider is helming MACC. PH manifesto on the other hand is not sacrosanct either. From the legal point of view, those promises in manifesto cannot be executed without making the relevant changes to the existing law.

The PM perhaps knew in advance that he would be entangled in some needless bureaucratic hurdles if he had proposed Latheefa as the new MACC chief to the Cabinet. He wanted all the liberty to choose the best candidate in his view who can bring significant changes to the MACC. In point of fact, it is not yet the law for the candidates to be screened by the PSC for major government appointments.

PKR being part of the ruling coalition has to ensure public trust and confidence in PH and more important in PKR itself.  As reported, the PKR president’s initial reaction to Latheefa’s appointment had been “to ask the prime minister to clarify the issue”. He noted that Latheefa’s appointment had received mix reaction from among PH leaders, NGOs and the public and that the decision was made by the prime minister himself and that “he only knew about it from the announcement”.

However, his latest remarks have been very convincing. It was wise of himself to say that “frequent polemics may give a negative picture of the government and PH while positive public reinforcements will auger well on PH’s commitment to ensure MACC performs its duties fairly”. He reiterated that Latheefa should be allowed to carry out her tasks effectively. With this wisdom of his the dust seems to have settled.

Cannot be too obsessed listening to critics

To the majority of Malaysians it’s not a matter of whether “the cat is black or white”. It matters most “if the cat is able to catch the mice”. Latheefa is given two years to prove herself and the general feelings of Malaysians who are against corruption have faith that she will be independent in her duty.  The people will definitely keep track of the effectiveness of the commission with Latheefa at the wheel. She now has to get on with her job and since she has quit as a party member she will have no more time for politics.

Be what it may, the prime minister has made his decision. Latheefa has now become the country’s first woman head of MACC. Latheefa already comes with a reputation – as a strong advocate and fighter for justice, transparency and the rule of law. The prime minister has said there will be no U-turn in this appointment.  The PKR president in his latest remarks has endorsed the prime minister’s choice and hopefully this will bring to an end to the unwarranted fulminations.

It’s also heartening to note that the PKR president has urged those opposing Latheefa as the new MACC chief to give her space and accept the prime minister’s decision to appoint her. He has now the insight to understand that the prime minister is fighting hard to weed out corruption and there is little time left for him to do so. The need and desire to uphold reforms and stick to the PH manifesto are honourable but in the present situation the prime minister cannot be too obsessed listening to critics to the point that it hampers the government from moving forward.

Whatever, Latheefa’s appointment is definitely not some grand scheme to stop the PKR president from becoming the next prime minister.

Moaz Nair

– MAILBAG