KUCHING, June 5: “There is nothing to fear if you do not have skeletons in your cupboard, correct?”
Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) national women vice-chief Voon Shiak Ni posed this question to Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) information chief Datuk Idris Buang, who had yesterday described as “repugnant” the appointment of Latheefa Koya as the new Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief.
Idris had also said that being deeply political in her disposition since decades ago, Latheefa is institutionally very political by being an active member of PKR.
He added that her involvement in politics and some political controversies did 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
Voon said Idris’ views were “judgemental, biased and politically motivated” and that she is a high profile human rights lawyer with noted public recognition in the country and had been there for considerable time as a human rights lawyer.
“She has immeasurable experience and, most of all, she is vocal and fearless and that is what we crucially need of a MACC chief. What is the use of putting someone there, given the power and position but easily silenced,” she remarked in a statement today.
Voon, who is also PKR Sarawak vice-chairwoman, opined that Latheefa had proven her strength and commitment for the cause with the string of high-profile cases that she had acted on, on top of her unfettered and relentless effort and work to uphold social justice.
“Her relentless fights against injustice and human rights for the past two decades, her vocal and fearless virtues cannot be denied. As one of the directors for Lawyers for Liberty, which is a group of human rights and reform, she advocates to seek justice for the oppressed and suppressed,” Voon emphasised.
She also opined it was very judgemental and biased of Idris to say Latheefa is not fit to be MACC chief just because she is an ordinary member of PKR, which she had quit.
“I wish to gently remind Idris and all critics out there to credit and to support a person based on her strength and ability for the job,” Voon said.
She added that it was in her own book all this while as a politician to put matters of welfare and justice above politics and political affiliation as the ultimate aim is to see work done and justice seen.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) announced that Latheefa had been named the new MACC chief commissioner, replacing Datuk Seri Mohd Shukri Abdull.
Her appointment is on a two-year contract with effect from June 1. — DayakDaily
