DESPITE criticism against Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s choice of Latheefa Koya as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief, the manner of the appointment is lawful and in line with privileges accorded to the prime minister, said deputy law minister Hanipa Maidin.

“I honestly believe that the prime minister is fully aware that he is now governing the new Malaysia, which is totally different from the old order,” he said in a statement today.

“We can see, for instance, his willingness to hear the different view in the case of the appointment of the new chairman of the Public Accounts Committee despite the fact he had proposed other candidate.”

Hanipa was referring to opposition MP Noraini Ahmad taking over from Ronald Kiandee as PAC chair, after the latter defected to Pakatan Harapan.

“As a government which duly respects the spirit of democracy and the principle of the rule of law, this government, I believe, would not simply ignore the aforementioned genuine voices. I equally believe that the government would never find an easy excuse to abandon or ignore the promises laid down in the PH manifesto.

“Be that as it may and to be fair to the PM, all the parties must also realise that the office of the prime minister comes with certain privileges duly enjoyed by the PM alone, and not by other offices.

“Certainly we never want to see such privileges to be unduly abused and I don’t see how they are going to be unduly abused. Thus, we should give our PM and his able team either in the cabinet or in the PH presidential council to find amicable solutions to this issue.”

The Sepang MP said he received “considerable messages and complaints” from various parties on the issue.

 “I dare to say that the majority of the complaints which I received basically do not dispute the qualifications of Latheefa to hold such an important office.

“I sincerely believe that many people have no qualms accepting the reasons proffered by the PM for choosing Latheefah, replacing the former MACC chief, who decided to step down ahead of his initial tenure. The PM has rightly used the firmness of Latheefa, as his reason for her appointment.”

The complaints, however, related to the manner of her appointment, he said.

Among other things, the complaints deal with the issue of the perceived absence of transparency or proper consultation, the violation of written promised contained in the PH manifesto. 

There were also complaints of the lack of any discussion in the cabinet or the PH presidential meeting and the perceived impartiality on the part of Latheefa, given her political background and some other issues. 

“There are also certain quarters who are of the view, taking into consideration Latheefa’s experience as a former human rights lawyer that she should have been appointed to helm Suhakam and not MACC.” – June 7, 2019.