Select committee failed to initiate appointment reforms earlier, says Afif

PKR assemblyperson Dr Afif Bahardin said the parliamentary Special Select Committee for Major Public Appointments should have initiated reforms earlier, instead of criticising Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's decision to select lawyer Latheefa Koya as the new MACC chief.

The Seberang Jaya state representative said the real issue in the controversy over Latheefa’s appointment was that those who were supposed to introduce national reforms after the 14th general election had "failed miserably" to do their jobs.

He pointed to the parliamentary select committee headed by Selayang MP William Leong, saying its members had failed to initiate reforms on how key public appointments were made.

"They did not bring the proposals for reforms to Parliament since last year. Where are these reforms?

"You cannot expect the government to focus on economic betterment of the people and also come up with proposals on reforms, that is why we have committees to do so," Afif told Malaysiakini.

"For example, if the select committee does not accept an appointment, what happens then, who decides? Is it the prime minister, or the Yang di-Pertuan Agong? All these must be made clear (by the select committee)," said the Penang state executive councillor.

"What is the limitation or boundaries when it comes to the prime minister’s powers in the appointment of key posts?

"Please do not stunt reforms just because of your sheer laziness to do so," Afif added.

He emphasised that efforts to fulfil pledges made in the election manifesto were “not the prime minister’s task alone, or the cabinet’s, but those appointed to the committees as well”.

It was announced on June 4 that Latheefa had been appointed as the new MACC chief, replacing Mohd Shukri Abdull.

Mahathir received praise and brickbats for his decision to choose Latheefa, a former PKR central committee member, without consulting the cabinet or the Special Select Committee for Major Public Appointments.

Committee head Leong had said that Latheefa's appointment should have been brought to the committee for discussion.

Silence on other appointments

Meanwhile, Afif said Latheefa’s appointment demonstrates the government’s commitment towards appointing the right person to curb corruption.

He also urged certain quarters, especially those within his party, not to be selective in criticising her new role.

Afif said critics of Latheefa's appointment had been silent on similar cases of political appointees.

Examples included the appointment of PKR Kelantan chief Mohamad Suparadi Md Noor as chairperson of the National Entrepreneur Group Economic Fund (Tekun Nasional), a government-linked company.

"They were silent too during the appointment of Attorney-General Tommy Thomas, Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat and Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador. What is so different with the appointment of Latheefa as the new MACC head?" Afif asked.

The select committee on public appointments was one of six formed last December, with the appointments of the new police chief, chief justice and MACC chief taking place later. -Mkini