Quitting PKR will not alter negative perception, says select committee head
Latheefa Koya's resignation from PKR to take up the appointment as MACC chief commissioner will not change public perception, says Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Public Appointments chairperson William Leong.
“Without in any way referring to her personal capabilities, integrity and character, the appointment of Latheefa, who was a member of one of the component parties in the ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition, affects public trust and public perception of the independence of MACC,” he said in a statement today...
Latheefa Koya's resignation from PKR to take up the appointment as MACC chief commissioner will not change public perception, says Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Public Appointments chairperson William Leong.
“Without in any way referring to her personal capabilities, integrity and character, the appointment of Latheefa, who was a member of one of the component parties in the ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition, affects public trust and public perception of the independence of MACC,” he said in a statement today.
The PKR lawmaker had earlier told Malaysiakini earlier that the committee had no knowledge of Latheefa's appointment.
"It (her appointment) should have been brought to our notice for us to discuss the matter, but we were not aware of it," he said.
Leong said he disagreed with the appointment because Harapan has been advocating that politicians should not head such agencies, particularly an independent body.
"All along, we have been talking about the independence of MACC. When there is someone from one particular party (appointed), then it (the appointment) is politicised," he added.
The Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Public Appointments was formed to discuss public appointments as pledged by Harapan in its 2018 general election manifesto.
Leong also said PKR would discuss Latheefa's appointment.
PAS vice-president Iskandar Samad was similarly dissatisfied despite Latheefa's resignation from PKR.
"And so she resigned from PKR and everything is supposed to be all right," he said in a statement.
"Please don't insult the intelligence of the Malaysian public. As if there is nobody else. Get a non-politician to do the job."
Latheefa revealed that she resigned from PKR with immediate effect yesterday after being notified of her appointment.
Ensuring transparency
Meanwhile, Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah (photo) congratulated Latheefa on her appointment as the first woman MACC chief, but also questioned why it was not first discussed by the select committee.
"Firstly, I would like to ask whether her appointment had gone through the Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Public Appointments.
"This committee was formed for appointments like this in order to ensure that there is better transparency when it comes to key appointments," she said.
Maria pointed out that Harapan had made clear in its manifesto that it is against political appointments.
She added that she is glad that there is a term limit for the MACC chief, and that this should be standardised for other institutions.
Earlier, the Prime Minister's Office announced that Latheefa would succeed Mohd Shukri Abdull as MACC chief commissioner.
It also revealed that Shukri has decided to cut short his contract, which is scheduled to expire in May next year.
RELATED REPORTS
MCA president feels 'disturbed for Anwar' over Latheefa's appointment
New MACC chief will send shivers down crooks' spines - NGOs
PAS veep thought Latheefa's MACC appointment was 'fake news'
Latheefa: I quit PKR yesterday
MACC pledges support for new chief, lauds predecessor
PSM: No-nonsense Latheefa's first task is to probe Taib
'New MACC chief should emulate Dewan Rakyat speaker's example'
Mission accomplished – Shukri on quitting MACC
