KUCHING: Malaysians deserve an explanation from Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on the appointment of the new Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Latheefa Koya.
Sarawak Patriots Association (SPA) secretary Hii Chin Loung said that it is not the legality of the appointment which is in question or the credentials of Leethafa, but rather the unilateral act of the appointment, which was at variance with Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) promises for reforms.
“PH had declared in its manifesto that during the Barisan Nasional (BN) administration, appointments to key positions were done in suspicious ways.
“It was further stated in Promise 16 of its manifesto that key national positions such as appointments to the MACC must be approved by a Parliamentary Select Committee which will reduce the ability of the Prime Minister to intervene in these important appointments,” he said in a press statement yesterday.
He said it was not healthy for a government, which had promised reforms to the Malaysian people, and it may create a negative perception in the eyes of the people as it is hypocritical to not practise what they preach.
“It is imperative now for the PH government and Latheefa to reform MACC to report directly to Parliament rather than to the prime minister with appointment of the Commissioners to be validated democratically by Parliament as stated in Promise 14 of its manifesto,” he said.
He argued that there is just too much power that the prime minister has at the moment, and having too much power is not necessarily a good thing.
“Absolute authority vested in the prime minister may need to follow some procedures like approval by a Parliamentary Select Committee, the Cabinet and the PH Presidential Council.”
