Appointments committee to meet over Latheefa but not certain what action it can take

Diyana Ibrahim Diyana Ibrahim Updated 6 years ago · Published on 10 Jun 2019 9:52PM · 5 Comments

Parliamentary Select Committee chairman William Leong says the group will meet on Thursday to discuss Latheefa Koya's appointment as MACC chief and decide what action to take after. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, June 10, 2019.

THE parliamentary select committee (PSC) on public appointments will meet on Thursday to discuss Latheefa Koya’s appointment as the new anti-graft chief, said its chairman William Leong, as the controversy over the appointment raged on.

Leong told The Malaysian Insight the meeting will focus on the appointment of the prominent lawyer to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and how the decision to appoint her had bypassed the select committee.

“Her appointment was not brought to the PSC’s attention. We were not informed and only found out about it from news reports.

“We will see what sort of action can be taken by the committee,” he added.

He, however, declined to state what type of action it could take over the appointment.

The select committee was formed to appoint key personnel to senior positions in the Pakatan Harapan administration. It was a key policy in its manifesto but Putrajaya since then appeared to have ignored this.

Three recent major appointments were not referred the PSC – Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador, Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat and Election Commission Chairman Azhar Azizan Harun.

Leong had previously said Latheefa’s appointment would receive negative feedback from the public.

Latheefa was named as the new MACC chief commissioner on Tuesday to replace Mohd Shukri Abdull, who stepped down ahead of the end of his contract on May 17, 2020.

The former Lawyers for Liberty executive director is on a two-year contract with the commission, effective June 1, 2019.

Her shock appointment provoked a mixed response from civil society, the opposition, and Pakatan Harapan whose members are split in their opinions.

During the open house at the prime minister’s official residence in Putrajaya on Wednesday, Dr Mahathir told reporters that it was his decision to make Latheefa the MACC chief.

“She is very straightforward. She says what the truth is. She doesn’t mince words,” Dr Mahathir had said.

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

Dr Mahathir also squashed any debate on the subject when asked later if he has second thoughts of the appointment.

“There is no problem, I appoint a lot of people,” he said at the Aidilfitri open house hosted by his son and Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir on Saturday.

“Latheefa’s appointment is just one of them, that’s all… it’s final.

“Obviously I am not going to retract it, then they will say I am making a U-turn,” he said, responding to media reports that PKR president Anwar Ibrahim wanted the prime minister to clarify Latheefa’s appointment as the new MACC chief. – June 10, 2019.

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Comments

  • Goyang Teloq la William. Apa nak buat lagi ? Boss-ku Anwar dah kata Setuju dgn pilihan dan keputusan PM.

    Posted 6 years ago by [email protected] · Reply

  • We Malaysians fully support Latheefa Koya to be MACC Chief. Don't be a troublemaker!

    Posted 6 years ago by Jordan Lee · Reply

  • Perhaps the committee should dissolve/disband itself as a gesture of protest to what have been happening.

    Posted 6 years ago by Ab rahman bistamam · Reply

  • Good enough to express regret over Tun's unilateral action. You may agree Latheefa is a right candidate but to the do not concur

    Posted 6 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

    • ...with the way the appointment took place. Let the people judge PH and decide on the next GE.

      Posted 6 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply