KUALA LUMPUR: Latheefa Koya has confirmed speculation that she has resigned as Chief Commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
In a statement released today, Latheefa said she submitted her letter of resignation to Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on March 2.
She added that she had a cordial discussion with the Prime Minister, whom she briefed on the MACC’s ongoing actions and efforts to recover 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) monies from abroad.
Latheefa stressed that she was not pressured to resign, and any speculation to the contrary is baseless.
She said she wishes to return to her practice as a human rights advocate.
Latheefa added that she has briefed her deputy, Datuk Seri Azam Baki, and met with other MACC department heads, to ensure an orderly handover of duties.
“I am leaving my position with the fullest confidence that the MACC will continue to be uncompromising and tireless in the fight against corruption, irrespective of the position or political allegiance of the perpetrators,” Latheefa said.
She ended her statement by thanking former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for appointing her to the post, her colleagues at the MACC and the rakyat for their support.
Latheefa's entry into the MACC, which took place after the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government took over Putrajaya from Barisan Nasional (BN) in the 14th General Election was viewed by many as a political appointment.
The former PKR central leadership council member assumed her role as the commission's chief on June 1, 2019, taking over from Datuk Seri Mohd Shukri Abdull.
Dr Mahathir said the decision on her appointment was his alone and was not discussed with Cabinet.
"I didn’t have to ask Cabinet; I asked other people who know about the character of this person and there was no need for Cabinet to decide, (because) if Cabinet makes a decision, it restricts me. So in this I was free to evaluate whoever was proposed and I picked,” Dr Mahathir said.
On why he chose her, Dr Mahathir said: "Because she is very strict; she sees what is the truth... we need somebody who has a strong character."
Latheefa is a co-founder of the human rights and law reform non-governmental organisation Lawyers for Liberty.