LATHEEFA Koya’s appointment as Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner has taken many by surprise, including her friends and activists who had previously worked with her.

While they welcomed her as the MACC chief, some have questioned the nature of her appointment by Putrajaya, saying the process should have been more transparent.

Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) executive director Cynthia Gabriel, who described Latheefa as “fearless” and “brave”, said her appointment has bypassed parliamentary feedback.

“The top job should have been opened to applications and reviewed by the parliamentary select committee, in tandem with ongoing reforms of Parliament,” Cynthia told The Malaysian Insight.

This was confirmed by William Leong, the chairman of the parliamentary special select committee on major public appointments.

Leong, who is also Selayang MP, said he is surprised at the news as it is not in line with the Pakatan Harapan manifesto.

Latheefa, 46, replaced Mohd Shukri Abdull, who requested that his contract be shortened from its full tenure, which was supposed to end on May 17 next year.

She was former PKR’s legal affairs bureau chief, and co-founder and director of Lawyers for Liberty (LFL), who in a statement today announced that Melissa Sasidaran is now the new director.

Latheefa is the first woman chief of MACC, and the first person without an enforcement background to lead the anti-graft agency.

Former Bersih 2.0 chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah, who is a PKR lawmaker, said parliament has set up a parliamentary select committee to look at appointments, particularly at high-profile institutions such as the MACC.

“Congratulations to her. It does come as a surprise because I didn’t have any idea of this appointment,” Chin told The Malaysian Insight.

“Having said that, I believe it should have been discussed. I think it’s important we have a much more open process in terms of appointments,” said the Petaling Jaya MP, who sits on the parliamentary caucus on reforms and governance.

“We have a template from the National Human Rights Commission (Suhakam), that if there are vacancies, people can actually submit names.”

“The executive can recommend, but it should have gone through a select committee for discussion.”

Chin added that the issue of her party membership also remained.

“I believe she will be able to do the job. The only question is: Is she still a PKR member? It does matter. Although she is a friend, civil society has always stressed on the importance of neutrality,” said Chin, pointing to past election commissioners in the previous government who were members of a ruling party.

Chin added that Latheefa’s appointment comes with a two-year term limit.

“I am glad to note there’s a term limit. I hope term limits can be standardised in all key institutions, such as Suhakam, the Election Commission and coming IPCMC (Independent Police Complaints Commission).” – June 4, 2019.