New MACC chief will send shivers down crooks' spines - NGOs
Putrajaya's decision to appoint lawyer Latheefa Koya as the new MACC chief commissioner has won praise from NGO leaders.
Taking to Twitter, former Malaysian Bar president Ambiga Sreenevasan (above) described it as another bold appointment by the Pakatan Harapan government...
NGO leaders praise Latheefa's appointment, noting that she is fearless and principled.
Putrajaya's decision to appoint lawyer Latheefa Koya as the new MACC chief commissioner has won praise from NGO leaders.
Taking to Twitter, former Malaysian Bar president Ambiga Sreenevasan (above) described it as another bold appointment by the Pakatan Harapan government.
“No doubt many crooks will be uncomfortable and terrified,” she added.
Though taken aback by the appointment, Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) executive director Cynthia Gabriel believes Latheefa possesses the right credentials for the task.
“I am completely taken by surprise but am happy about the choice. She is fearless, brave and a no-nonsense person. She will bring MACC to new heights.
“Although the appointment process should have been open to applications and reviewed by the parliamentary select committee, the random choice made in this case is a good one,” she told Malaysiakini.
Election watchdog Bersih's chairperson Thomas Fann echoed a similar sentiment but urged the former PKR member to be impartial.
“She is known to be a highly principled and courageous lawyer. Such qualities would make her a great chief of the MACC.
“She has to discharge her duties without fear or favour. Only time and actions will show if the government made the right decision,” he added.
The Prime Minister’s Office announced this afternoon that Latheefa (photo) would replace Mohd Shukri Abdull who decided to cut short his two-year contract, which ends in May next year.
Prior to her appointment, Latheefa served as the Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) executive director.
LFL advisor N Surendran congratulated her on the appointment and announced that Melissa Sasidaran will now be heading the organisation.
“We congratulate her (Latheefa) on this important appointment and wish her success in the battle against corruption.
“Following Latheefa's resignation from LFL to take up her new appointment, we are pleased to announce that human rights lawyer Melissa Sasidaran has been appointed as the new director,” he said in a statement.
Human Rights Watch Asia deputy director Phil Robertson also welcomed the appointment.
“Her strong adherence to human rights principles, tenacity and astuteness will serve her well in this new position to hold Malaysian politicians and civil servants accountable,” he tweeted.
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