KUALA LUMPUR: Chief commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Latheefa Koya yesterday said that her resignation was not due to any pressure brought upon her.
“It was my own decision to do so. Speculation that pressure was brought upon me are baseless,” she said in a statement to the media.
In the statement, Latheefa said a letter conveying her intention to resign was submitted to Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin on Monday (2 March 2020), and it was subject to the approval of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.
“Yesterday, I met the Prime Minister and explained to him my decision to resign. We had a very cordial discussion and he understands my position.
“I also briefed him about our ongoing actions and efforts for the recovery of the stolen 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) monies from abroad. He was fully supportive of these actions,” she said in the statement.
Latheefa added that she planned to return to her practice as a human rights advocate.
“It is business as usual in the MACC, in the capable hands of my officers. Throughout this week I have met with and briefed the deputy commissioner (Operations) Datuk Seri Azam Baki as well as MACC department heads, in order to ensure an orderly handover of duties,” she said.
She also thanked the former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, MACC colleagues and the rakyat for all the support received during her tenure as chief commissioner.
Latheefa was appointed as the MACC chief commissioner in June, 2019, replacing Datuk Seri Mohd Shukri Abdull, who decided to shorten his service contract.
In a statement then, the Prime Minister’s Office said Latheefa would serve as MACC chief for two years beginning June 1, 2019. – Bernama
