It’s not about Latheefa’s credentials but Pakatan’s promises, say critics

Updated 7 years ago · Published on 6 Jun 2019 11:15AM · 8 Comments

MORE critics have slammed Latheefa Koya’s appointment as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief, saying that the manner of her selection goes against Pakatan Harapan’s promise of transparency.

The Malaysian Bar praised Latheefa’s strong track record as a lawyer fighting injustice and taking up human rights cases but expressed concern about the way her appointment as MACC chief commissioner was made.

The parliamentary special select committee on major public appointments set up by the PH last December was not involved in her selection, said Malaysian Bar president Abdul Fareed Abdul Gafoor said a statement today.

The PH manifesto recognised that key national positions, such as appointments to the MACC, must be approved by a suitable parliamentary committee to reduce the ability of the prime minister to intervene in such important appointments, Fareed said.

Although the select committee has no force of law, it serves as a check and balance on the executive branch, he said.

“An obvious oversight of this nature does not reflect well on the resolve of the government in practising transparency, accountability, integrity and good governance, which are attributes that it has been championing vociferously,” he said.

“The government cannot continue to say that the manifesto is not binding, as the pledges in the manifesto had been made in order to convince the rakyat to vote it into power.”

Fareed said Latheefa has no experience in law enforcement and that the MACC chief commissioner’s role requires this “distinct skill-set”.

Besides Latheefa’s legal experience, she had been an active PKR member serving on the party’s central committee and as information chief and legal bureau chief.

“This raises the spectre of conflict of interest. It is indisputable that MACC must have autonomy and independence from the executive in order for it to do its job effectively as an agency to combat corruption, free from any undue influence.”

Fareed added that Latheefa’s resignation upon being informed of her appointment “does not significantly alter the unfavourable public perception that her appointment is clearly one of political patronage, given that PKR is a vital component of the federal government, and also has representation in several state governments”.

Meanwhile, PKR chief organising secretary and central committee member Nik Nazri Nik Ahmad also said Latheefa’s appointment should have gone through the PSC.

If the laws required for the government to abide fully with its manifesto have yet to be amended, such as having the MACC commissioners “validated democratically by Parliament”, then at the very least her appointment should have been referred to the select committee.

“MACC will report directly to Parliament, rather than to the prime minister. To ensure effective check and balance, the number of MACC commissioners will be increased and there will be a quota for civil society.

“One of the commissioners will become chairman of MACC and all commissioners will have security of tenure. Appointment of these commissioners must be validated democratically by Parliament,” Nik Nazmi said, quoting promise No. 14 in PH’s manifesto.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad acting on his own accord without consulting the cabinet on Latheefa’s appointment, Niz Nazmi said, goes against the manifesto.

Dr Mahathir said yesterday Latheefa was his own choice for the position.

Nik Nazmi said he was personally grateful to Latheefa, who was part of the legal team which represented him in his trials related to the Peaceful Assembly Act, and that he was not questioning her credentials.

Rather, the issue at hand is about voters’ trust in the government.

“Voters cannot be blamed for exuding cynicism or scepticism on the government’s undertakings, if it fails,” said the Setiawangsa MP. – June 6, 2019.

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Comments

  • this is democratic from Dr Mahathir point of view. sad.

    Posted 7 years ago by Ab rahman bistamam · Reply

  • Better a good "mistake" now than the last time Pakatan kept their promise and appointed Mazslee instead of Tun for Education Minister only to have the black shoes make more mistakes than it is worth.

    Posted 7 years ago by Roger 5201 · Reply

  • Stop complaining, she is the right choice. Please remember when Dr M wanted to be Education Minister and we complained and see who is the Education Minister now?

    Posted 7 years ago by J w · Reply

  • PMO cannot be so powerful that it can call all the shots, overriding the ministers recommended appointments to GLCs and government agencies. Many of these organizations still do not have any heads because PMO is holding back the recommendations. Its all stuck in PMO. Things cant move without a captain. One example is Telekoms Malaysia. Either they confirm the acting CEO now or appoint a new CEO quickly..dont dilly dally

    Posted 7 years ago by Elyse Gim · Reply

  • It doesnt matter if a cat is black or white, so long as it catches mice- Deng Xiaoping

    Posted 7 years ago by H. Mokhtar · Reply

  • In Malaysia Baru, all these NGOs or whatever 'O's think they are PM and run the country. Let the PM get on with the job. If he screws up, then whack him by all means. Time being just shut up and let the relevant people get on with the job.

    Posted 7 years ago by Yoon Fatt Ng · Reply

  • Sometimes we need a head strong and a authoritative decisive move to get it done. Mahatir since as PM has mellowed to become too accomodating and entertain whims and fancies of the new politicians who know next to nothing but trying to bull doze their new political power to be noticed. This unacceptable but good move by Mahatir is a welcome change, just to do it and get it over with instead of being bogged down and loose the line of sight. To heck with the parliamentary selection committee and also the Malaysian Bar crying out loud and blurr in the wrong time and place just to be noticed when at crucial moment they are just silent like church mice. What conflict of interest or a detrimental "oversight that violates transparency, accountability , integrity that will stifle good governance". Anyway Mahatir withinh his prerogatives and constituitional gesture did not appoint a crooks or lanun for the job and now ain't Latheefa Koya is a full testimonial of what is desired in that context .For umpteen of years all those who make noises was living in all those shits and just because democracy is being uplifted in only a year and immediatedly all actions should be seen in the guise of democratic principle. Is the social political and economi environment ready for it or we are just being hypocrites just to to be seen that it is done .

    Posted 7 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • Fully support Dr Mahathir in appointing Latheefa Koya without consulting as no really successful country run on a concensus basis system. Do study Lee Kuan Yew. He really developed Singapore into a truly developed country. Does he consult NGOs and his Ministers before he appointment people to fill posts?

    Posted 7 years ago by Jordan Lee · Reply