MOHD Shukri Abdull has some advice for his successor Latheefah Koya: she must be fearless, impartial and not bow to pressure in order to succeed as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief.

“She must do the right thing and she must do it right. That is important. Second, she must be fearless, independent, neutral and impartial.

“She must also not bow to pressure. Even if she has to quit, do the right thing,” said the former MACC chief at a press conference in Putrajaya today.

These are Shukri’s first comments after Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced on the eve of Hari Raya that Latheefah is taking over from him as MACC chief.

The human rights lawyer and former PKR member’s appointment drew mixed reaction from civil society, the opposition and Pakatan Harapan, whose members are split in their opinions.

Dr Mahathir’s decision to appoint her at his sole discretion and without prior consultation with cabinet members also courted its fair share of criticism.

The appointment, said critics, should have gone through the yet-to-be-enforced parliamentary select committee on major public appointments.

The manner is also seen as running counter to PH’s promise of transparency.

Her status as a former PKR member, too, garnered concerns and criticism. Latheefa quit the party upon being told of her impending appointment.

Shukri said today he was not told about Latheefa’s appointment and only knew about it from news reports.

He had also forwarded two names as candidates to replace him.

“I didn’t know until June 4. That is when I knew and I also submitted two names to replace me.. however, the decision had already been made.

“My time is up. I just wanted to rest as I have done my part for the past one year. I made a promise and now I have fulfilled it.”

Shukri disclosed that he met Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah to explain his decision to leave the commission early.

“It was a courtesy call. I met with the king as he wanted to know my reason. I explained to the Agong about my intention,” he said.

Shukri was appointed as 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 had spoken about facing threats over the MACC’s probe into 1MDB in 2015 after a crackdown by then prime minister Najib Razak on MACC and other institutions, and his critics in the cabinet.

MACC completed its investigations into 1MDB last July and Najib was charged the same month with the misappropriation of RM42 million of SRC International funds.

The trial is now ongoing. – June 8, 2019.