PSC wants Latheefa to brief them on her 'mission and vision' as MACC chief

PETALING JAYA: Newly appointed Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Latheefa Koya will have to appear before Parliament's Special Select Committee (PSC) on Major Public Appointments, says its chairman William Leong.

"We have decided ask Latheefa to appear before the PSC, and we are inviting her to come before us next Thursday (June 20) at 2.30pm to address three issues," he said on Thursday (June 13).

He said the PSC wanted to hear from Latheefa on how she intended to discharge her duties as MACC chief in light of her past political affiliations and lacking any investigative experience in graft-busting.

"We want to know how best she is going to deal with the fact that she had been an active politician.

"Also how she does not have experience in investigating corruption, and how is she going to deal with that," he said.

Leong added that the PSC wanted to Latheefa to brief them on her vision and mission to combat corruption in the country.

Leong clarified that the PSC was not questioning Latheefa's appointment as the hearing would only focus on her function and responsibilities as the new MACC chief.

"We are not questioning the validity of her appointment as that comes under the power of the Prime Minister," he said.

On Tuesday, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof said although Latheefa's appointment was valid and a "done deal", the PSC still had a right to call her.

Latheefa's appointment, announced on June 4, came as a surprise to many. She replaced Datuk Seri Mohd Shukri Abdull, who quit before his tenure was to have ended in 2020.

Upon being appointed, she resigned as PKR member and executive director of Lawyers for Liberty.

Dr Mahathir said it was his personal decision to appoint Latheefa to the post and that he did not consult Cabinet on the matter.

On Saturday (June 8), Dr Mahathir said his decision to appoint Latheefa was final following questions raised by some quarters over the manner of her appointment.

On Wednesday (June 12), PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was prepared to meet the PSC with regard to Latheefa's appointment.