Latheefa Koya’s resignation from PKR to take up the appointment as MACC chief commissioner will not change public perception, says Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Public Appointments chairperson William Leong.
“Without in any way referring to her personal capabilities, integrity and character, the appointment of Latheefa, who was a member of one of the component parties in the ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition, affects public trust and public perception of the independence of MACC,” he said in a statement today.
The PKR lawmaker had earlier told Malaysiakini earlier that the committee had no knowledge of Latheefa’s appointment.
“It (her appointment) should have been brought to our notice for us to discuss the matter, but we were not aware of it,” he said.
Leong said he disagreed with the appointment because Harapan has been advocating that politicians should not head such agencies, particularly an independent body.
“All along, we have been talking about the independence of MACC. When there is someone from one particular party (appointed), then it (the appointment) is politicised,” he added.
The Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Public Appointments was formed to discuss public appointments as pledged by Harapan in its 2018 general election manifesto.
Leong also said PKR would discuss Latheefa’s appointment.
PAS vice-president Iskandar Samad was similarly dissatisfied despite Latheefa’s resignation from PKR.
“And so she resigned from PKR and everything is supposed to be all right,” he said in a statement.
“Please don’t insult the intelligence of the Malaysian public. As if there is nobody else. Get a non-politician to do the job.”
Latheefa revealed that she resigned from PKR with immediate effect yesterday after being notified of her appointment.
Ensuring transparency
Meanwhile, Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah (photo) congratulated Latheefa on her appointment as the first woman MACC chief, but also questioned why it was not first discussed by the select committee.
“Firstly, I would like to ask whether her appointment had gone through the Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Public Appointments.
“This committee was formed for appointments like this in order to ensure that there is better transparency when it comes to key appointments,” she said.
Maria pointed out that Harapan had made clear in its manifesto that it is against political appointments.
She added that she is glad that there is a term limit for the MACC chief, and that this should be standardised for other institutions.
Earlier, the Prime Minister’s Office announced that Latheefa would succeed Mohd Shukri Abdull as MACC chief commissioner.
It also revealed that Shukri has decided to cut short his contract, which is scheduled to expire in May next year.
New MACC chief will send shivers down crooks’ spines – NGOs
Putrajaya’s decision to appoint lawyer Latheefa Koya as the new MACC chief commissioner has won praise from NGO leaders.
Taking to Twitter, former Malaysian Bar president Ambiga Sreenevasan (above) described it as another bold appointment by the Pakatan Harapan government.
“No doubt many crooks will be uncomfortable and terrified,” she added.
Though taken aback by the appointment, Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) executive director Cynthia Gabriel believes Latheefa possesses the right credentials for the task.
“I am completely taken by surprise but am happy about the choice. She is fearless, brave and a no-nonsense person. She will bring MACC to new heights.
“Although the appointment process should have been open to applications and reviewed by the parliamentary select committee, the random choice made in this case is a good one,” she told Malaysiakini.
Election watchdog Bersih’s chairperson Thomas Fann echoed a similar sentiment but urged the former PKR member to be impartial.
“She is known to be a highly principled and courageous lawyer. Such qualities would make her a great chief of the MACC.
“She has to discharge her duties without fear or favour. Only time and actions will show if the government made the right decision,” he added.
The Prime Minister’s Office announced this afternoon that Latheefa (photo) would replace Mohd Shukri Abdull who decided to cut short his two-year contract, which ends in May next year.
Prior to her appointment, Latheefa served as the Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) executive director.
LFL advisor N Surendran congratulated her on the appointment and announced that Melissa Sasidaran will now be heading the organisation.
“We congratulate her (Latheefa) on this important appointment and wish her success in the battle against corruption.
“Following Latheefa’s resignation from LFL to take up her new appointment, we are pleased to announce that human rights lawyer Melissa Sasidaran has been appointed as the new director,” he said in a statement.
Human Rights Watch Asia deputy director Phil Robertson also welcomed the appointment.
“Her strong adherence to human rights principles, tenacity and astuteness will serve her well in this new position to hold Malaysian politicians and civil servants accountable,” he tweeted.
MKINI
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