KUCHING, June 4: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) information chief Datuk Idris Buang today called on all fair-minded non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to protest the appointment of Lawyers for Liberty executive director Latheefa Koya as Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief.
He argued that Latheefa’s political inclinations might impede MACC’s impartiality.
“Her appointment is repugnant to the spirit that the PH government claimed to have in wanting to uphold the rule of law. The rule of law requires that justice must not only be done but seen to be done.
“Being deeply political in her disposition since decades ago, she is institutionally very political by being an active member of PKR (Parti Keadilan Rakyat). Her involvement in politics and some political controversies do not augur well to her being emplaced in what is supposed to be a position that demands as prerequisites non-partisan and complete apolitical character.
“She definitely fails to satisfy this criterion. For the PH government to even make this suggestion itself is, in fact, an act of mockery to the nation within the context of having a controversial top official leading MACC to fight and rid corruption not only without fear but also without favour,” said Idris in a statement today.
The Muara Tuang assemblyman was commenting on the announcement made by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) today that Latheefa Koya had been named the new MACC chief commissioner, replacing Datuk Seri Mohd Shukri Abdull.
According to the announcement, Shukri has stepped down prior to the expiration of his contract on May 17, 2020. Latheefa, is on a two-year contract effective June 1, 2019.
“The appointment is among the steps to reform government institutions,” said PMO in the statement.
To that, Idris said, “We should protest and ask all fair-minded NGOs to protest against the proposal to name her as MACC chief because of her known political inclination and the very clear and imminent likelihood of bias and impartiality, which could easily bring MACC to be the subject of prejudice and distrust by the public at large.”
He maintained that it was extremely impossible for Latheefa to steer herself clear from any perception of being seen as constantly subject to and pressured by elements of fear as well as favour due to her connection with PH and PKR, in particular, which have scores of issues and matters for and against them.
Idris wondered what the Bar Council and NGOs like Transparency International and other civil societies like Bersih and Human Right Watch would think about this?
“Quitting PKR does not cure the ‘taint and paint’ of being politically indulged and connected. — DayakDaily
