Azmin: Latheefa's appointment based on merit, not political ideologies
Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali has expressed certainty that newly minted MACC chief commissioner Latheefa Koya was appointed based on her merit and not on her political ideologies.
"I am quite sure the appointment was based on merit. Latheefa has been in the legal service for many decades so I am certain the appointment was made on that particular merit and certainly not based on her political ideologies...
Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali has expressed certainty that newly minted MACC chief commissioner Latheefa Koya was appointed based on her merit and not on her political ideologies.
"I am quite sure the appointment was based on merit. Latheefa has been in the legal service for many decades so I am certain the appointment was made on that particular merit and certainly not based on her political ideologies.
"She has not been active in the party for quite some time because she has been very busy, too occupied with her legal matters in court, so I think we should give her the opportunity to serve the body (MACC)," Azmin told reporters at the prime minister's Hari Raya open house at Seri Perdana today.
Azmin, who said he was not at the previous cabinet meeting as he just got back from performing his umrah, added that he found out about Latheefa's appointment through the news.
It was announced yesterday that Latheefa is the new MACC chief commissioner, replacing Mohd Shukri Abdull.
Shukri requested for his contract to expire ahead of its deadline on May 17, 2020, saying that he had accomplished his mission.
Latheefa will serve as MACC chief on a two-year contract.
However, politicians from both sides of the divide, as well as activists, have questioned her appointment as she was formerly a PKR member who had once held various leadership positions within the party.
Although Latheefa later announced that she had quit PKR when she found out she is to be the new MACC chief, critics state her appointment could still affect public perception of the anti-graft body.
'Capable and experienced'
Meanwhile, Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo (photo) said Latheefa's appointment did not come as a surprise to him.
"Our attempts and efforts to clean up the country, we had to focus on that in the first year. Many attempts were made to bring to justice and to book those who had committed offences in the past. So that's a lot more to do, it's work in progress, and ... (with) Latheefa at the helm of the MACC, there is a lot for her to do.
Gobind also brushed off claims that Latheefa did not have experience in leading a government agency.
He pointed to himself as an example, stating that even he had had to start somewhere.
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