PUTRAJAYA: Criticism over the appointment of Latheefa Koya as the new Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief has its merits.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law) Mohamed Hanipa Maidin said: “Honestly, I see that there is a strong merit to the their reasons for criticism.
“Some say, considering Latheefa’s background as a human rights lawyer, she should have been made the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) chairman instead of the MACC chief.”
However, he said critics should understand that the post of prime minister came with certain privileges and rights.
“Yes, of course, we all do not want the PM to misuse these special rights and I, too, do not see how they can be misused”, he said in a statement today.
Hanipa said he was confident that the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government under the leadership of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad still adhered strongly to democratic processes and the rule law.
Hanipa noted that certain quarters such as the Bar Council and Bersih 2.0 had issued statements critical
of the appointment of Latheefa as MACC’s chief commissioner.
He said most of the criticism against Latheefa was aimed at the former Lawyers for Liberty executive director’s qualifications or ability.
Many were also critical of the manner in which the former PKR member had been appointed as the MACC chief.
He said the other criticisms levelled over her appointment included the absence of transparency and consultation with ministers and PH leaders, potential “lack of impartiality” given her political background and the fact that it contradicted PH’s 14th General Election manifesto which stated that the coalition was opposed to political appointments.
Hanipa said the PH government would not take lightly the pledges that it had made in the manifesto.
“I believe the majority of the people can agree with the reason given by the prime minister on why he had selected Latheefa as the candidate to replace the previous MACC chief, who requested to leave his position before the end of his term,” Hanipa added.
Dr Mahathir had cited her no-nonsense approach, strong character, and the fact that she was not easily influenced by others and expressed her views without fear as among the reasons why he chose her.
Hanipa said he was confident that cabinet members and other PH leaders would address and resolve the issue prudently.
“I believe the prime minister knows that he is now leading ‘New Malaysia’ under PH, not the leading Malaysia under the old order of Barisan Nasional.”
Latheefa was appointed to replace former MACC chief Datuk Seri Mohd Shukri Abdull had resigned.