Putrajaya must announce an immediate ban on the "immoral" practice of ministers and their aides issuing support letters for party members, says lawyer and activist Latheefa Koya.

Latheefa, the Lawyers for Liberty executive director, said such a practice could deny ordinary Malaysians – especially those who are better qualified – equal opportunities when putting in a tender bid.

This followed the image of a letter on a catering contract from Romli Ishak, the political secretary of Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, being circulated online.

Romli, however, denied that the document, printed using the Deputy Prime Minister's Office letterhead, was a support letter, but said it was merely a "referral" for a party member who bid for the contract.

In a statement today, Latheefa called the practice "pernicious" and "contrary to ethics and good governance."

"It is also an immoral practice. A government is elected into power to serve all citizens equally. 

"Are the rest of the public to be discriminated against simply because they did not become members of the political party that is in power?

"It should be remembered that the letter was issued under the letterhead of the deputy prime minister herself, the second highest-elected public official in the country," she said.

Latheefa added that the practice negated everything Pakatan Harapan stood for in the promise of a New Malaysia.

"We urge Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the cabinet to immediately announce a complete ban on support letters for party members by ministers, political secretaries or official aides."

'Wan Azizah must explain'

Latheefa also said that Wan Azizah must explain if she was aware of the letter, and if she had authorised it.

"If she was not aware, it raises the serious question of abuse of the deputy prime minister's letterhead for unauthorised purposes.

"On the other hand, if the deputy prime minister was aware, then she must explain why she allowed this type of BN-style patronage."

The issue surrounding Romli's letter came to light after a picture of the letter began circulating online.

Romli had stated that the letter had "no value" and did not constitute an abuse of power, as it does not request for the contract be awarded to the bidder, nor state support for the bid.

He also claimed that party members regularly ask for letters to accompany their bids as referrals, and politicians could not turn them down.