I chose Latheefa Koya, says PM

Noel Achariam Ragananthini Vethasalam Noel Achariam, Ragananthini Vethasalam Updated 4 years ago · Published on 5 Jun 2019 2:39PM · 6 Comments

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad greets guests at his Hari Raya open house at Seri Perdana in Putrajaya, today. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Afif Abd Halim, June 5, 2019.

PRIME Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said it was his decision to make Latheefa Koya the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner.

“She is very straightforward. She says what is the truth. She doesn’t mince words,” he said, at the prime minister’s Hari Raya open house at Seri Perdana in Putrajaya, today.

“I appointed her based on her strong character. She is not afraid to make her stand.”

Dr Mahathir admitted he did not consult his cabinet.  

“I spoke to those who knew her and I decided.”

He said it was the government’s right to pick the MACC chief.

On why the exiting MACC chief’s successor was not promoted from within, Dr Mahathir said: “Sometimes we choose people from outside (the organisation). There’s no monopoly of any post in the country.”

He said it was not always necessary to pick the second or third in command to replace the head.

“We have the right to approve anybody we see fit.”

Several parties have questioned the manner in which Latheefa, a lawyer, was appointed to the job, including Transparency International Malaysia president Muhammad Mohan, who asked to know why the parliamentary select committee was not consulted.

News of the appointment broke yesterday, drawing a mixed response from all quarters, including PKR, of which Latheefa has been a longstanding member.

She replaces Mohd Shukri Abdull, who opted for an early departure even though his contract would only expire next May.

Yesteday Shukri said he was cutting short his tenure as he had achieved what he set out to do.

“My mission is accomplished. I have placed MACC on the right track.

“All officers are united. They are battling corruption together and the support from the public has been strong,” he told The Malaysian Insight in a statement.

Shukri was appointed MACC chief on May 18 last year.

He had served with the commission for 32 years before opting for early retirement on July 31, 2016 as deputy chief commissioner (operations).

He was reinstated by Dr Mahathir following the general election last year. – June 5, 2019.

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Comments

  • Good intention, poor implementation. Should've send it to Parliament first.

    Posted 4 years ago by Luke Skywalker · Reply

    • Agree. Good intentions with poor institutions will get us slowly back on the road to '1MDB'. The PH government needs to watch their step and the rakyat need to keep up the pressure too.

      Posted 4 years ago by Anak Kampung · Reply

  • Dr M never consult the parliament select committee and make a decision on the choice of MACC Chief means the select committee is useless, the select committee should be dissolve. This is in contrast to the reform mentioned in the manifesto. Voters pls member this. Dr M has to be fully accountable to the performance of Latheefa. He may need to resign if anything untoward happening in MACC.

    Posted 4 years ago by James Wong · Reply

  • I believe Mahatir has his reasons for doing so and being gutsy in telling so, that it was his sole decision . Let it pass and give Latheefathe space to do her job.

    Posted 4 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

    • 'his own reasons', 'trust the leaders' etc. -> this will only lead to deteriorating transparency and all the right conditions for '1MDB 2.0'.

      Posted 4 years ago by Anak Kampung · Reply

    • Cud be cud be so!! Well lets not forget about the education episode. Mahatir did volunteer himself for that portfolio but no one supported him and used the manifesto to oust him and in came a dunggu. Now he wants some bite into MACC on the due process to haul up all the corrupted vermins and again we see the same emotions opposing his actions. How to please everyone???? . It is also the prerogative of the old man and also no wrong in his appoinment as it did not violate the constitution. LK might be seen to be close to Azmin cartel but upoun taking up such job designation she knows better to be on her own doing to uphold her demeanour and dignity to portray responsibility and accountability. It is too high a profile to be self serving in agenda after all the big wigs are crashed.

      Posted 4 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply