Latheefa Koya Is Said To Have Resigned As MACC Chief Commissioner
Her alleged resignation comes hours after she ordered for an investigation to be opened against MP Tengku Adnan about how he had obtained nearly a billion ringgit in assets.
By Sadho Ram — 06 Mar 2020, 12:35 AM
There is speculation that Latheefa Koya has resigned from her post as Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner
According to a report in Malay Mail, an anonymous source familiar with the anti-graft agency's developments claimed that Latheefa has resigned from her position.
"She has resigned," the source was quoted as saying by Malay Mail last night, 5 March.
The alleged report about Latheefa's resignation was also reported in The Star, which said that while Latheefa is stepping down from her post as MACC chief, she remained silent on the issue.
The same was also reported by New Straits Times, which said that the former PKR central leadership council member's entry into the agency was viewed by many as a political appointment.
MACC deputy commissioner (Operations) Azam Baki will reportedly take over Latheefa's position, effective Monday, 9 March
According to the source quoted by Malay Mail, "Azam Baki will clock in on Monday".
He is said to be taking on the post on an interim basis at the moment, but will likely be promoted to the position of MACC chief permanently in due course, reported the English daily.
As of this writing, Latheefa, however, has declined to comment
The New Straits Times' report said that Latheefa, who was sworn in on 25 June 2019, declined to comment on the issue when asked by reporters on Thursday outside the Kuala Lumpur High Court.
She was appointed as the 14th MACC chief for two years effective 1 June 2019 to 31 May 2021.
Appointed by then Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad under the recently overthrown Pakatan Harapan government, Latheefa was said to have been chosen because of her strict nature.
"She sees what is the truth... we need somebody who has a strong character," Dr Mahathir had said at the time of appointing her, reported New Straits Times.
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah presenting the letter of appointment to Latheefa Koya during the swearing-in ceremony at the Istana Negara on 25 June 2019.
Image via New Straits TimesHer alleged resignation comes hours after she ordered for an investigation to be opened against UMNO's Tengku Adnan about how the Putrajaya MP had obtained nearly a billion ringgit in assets
According to Malaysiakini, Latheefa said that she issued instructions for the anti-graft body to begin the probe after it was revealed in the KL High Court that Tengku Adnan was once worth around RM900 million.
"MACC finds this to be a serious matter and I have given orders for investigations to start," she said, adding that the probe was not centred on the revelation of his assets, but rather how he had obtained them.