KUALA LUMPUR, June 6 — The termination of several senior government officials in July 2015, dubbed the “week of long knives”, must be investigated fully to prevent a recurrence, DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang said today.

The Gelang Patah MP also urged Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to present a White Paper on the matter at the next parliamentary sitting next month.

“The ensuing ‘Week of Long Knives’ represented the most serious, deplorable and disgraceful attack on the democratic principles of the Malaysian Constitution and the independence, impartiality and professionalism of all the important national institutions in the history of the  country.

“These dark events must never be allowed to recur in the future and this is why the fullest light must be allowed to expose all of the Federal Government that allowed such a dastardly chapter in the history of Malaysian democracy to happen,” he said in a statement.

On May 27, Lim proposed a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the abrupt removal of several seasoned government officials during the Najib administration, including Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as deputy prime minister, Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal as rural development minister, then Attorney General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail and Tan Sri Abu Kassim as then head of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission amid rumours of charges against the then prime minister.

The DAP politician claimed the move was orchestrated by then prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to suppress the 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal, describing it as an attack against democracy.

Pelantikan Latheefa Koya sebagai ketua pesuruhjaya Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia mencetuskan pelbagai polemik dan konflik di kalangan pemerhati politik negara serta pemimpin parti.

Latheefa diberi mandat sejak 1 Jun lalu untuk memegang portfolio ini, selepas Mohd Shukri Abdull memohon kontraknya dipendekkan lebih awal.

Saya tidak menafikan kelantangan Latheefa dalam kerjaya politik dan guamannya. Beliau merupakan peguam dan pengarah eksekutif Lawyers for Liberty yang sering menyuarakan isu hak asasi manusia serta kritikannya terhadap kronisme dan nepotisme dalam partinya, PKR.

Saya difahamkan pelantikan Latheefa sebagai pemudah cara untuk menyelesaikan isu dana RM2.6 bilion, 1MDB dan SRC International. Namun, adakah semata-mata dengan rasional di atas saja?

Saya berpandangan pelantikan ini mempunyai beberapa persoalan yang harus kita renungkan dan muhasabah sejenak.

Antaranya, pelantikan ini sah bercanggah janji ke-14 manifesto Pakatan Harapan berkaitan reformasi SPRM dan memperkukuh usaha membanteras rasuah dengan pelantikan ketua pesuruhjaya perlu diluluskan secara demokratik oleh Parlimen.

Tetapi, keputusan pelantikan Latheefa tidak melalui Parlimen. Ia jelas membungkam aspirasi PH yang sepatutnya peka dengan hal seperti ini.

Ia sepatutnya melalui Jawatankuasa Pilihan Khas Melantik Jawatan Utama Perkhidmatan Awam yang ditubuhkan untuk memastikan pelantikan seumpama ini dibuat dengan ketelusan baik.

Pelantikan Latheefa juga tidak selaras janji ke-21 manifesto PH dalam memperkasa perkhidmatan awam. Kepercayaan dan penghormatan lebih tinggi patut diberikan kepada pegawai kerajaan yang pastinya lebih arif mengenai selok-belok urus tadbir SPRM berbanding orang luar.

Walaupun pernah berkhidmat sebagai peguam, tetapi Latheefa tidak berpengalaman mengendalikan hal pendakwaan tadbir urus berkaitan agensi kerajaan.

Ia wajar dipersoalkan secara tuntas. Saya tiada masalah jawatan itu disandang wanita, tetapi kita mempunyai ramai individu lain yang boleh dilantik untuk terbabit bersama dalam pemerkasaan reformasi institusi.

Kita tidak memerlukan orang politik sebegini. Saya tetap merasakan Latheefa wajar berundur. Saya fikir Azmi Shahrom pasti senada dengan saya. Saya menunggu komentar beliau.

Luthfi Yusri ialah pembaca FMT.

Artikel ini adalah pandangan penulis dan tidak semestinya mewakili FMT.

GEORGE TOWN: A key women’s rights advocate in Penang has advised new Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Latheefa Koya to learn to manoeuvre gender-related pitfalls in a male-dominated government agency.

Penang gender inclusiveness committee chairperson Chong Eng said Latheefa would have to overcome the gender trap, where female leaders are expected to adopt male traits.

“As the first woman to hold the top post at MACC, I hope she is aware that she will be working in a male-dominated, top-level decision-making environment.

“While we commend her for her consistency in defending human rights, she should quickly read up about how women leaders can avoid the gender trap.

“She will face more ‘tests’ from the males to find out how capable she is, and culturally speaking, some might never work with a female boss at this level, thinking men would be better at her job.

“That being said, we are very happy to hear another glass ceiling has been broken under the Pakatan Harapan government,” the DAP national women’s chief said.

Meanwhile, public interest lawyer Meenakshi Raman hoped Latheefa would lead in investigations and prosecutions without fear or favour, and be constantly above politics in all matters related to MACC.

She said Latheefa should brace herself as it is not an easy job, especially in a setting where the agency may not be gender sensitive.

“It is probably a daunting position as a woman at the helm of an agency which is largely male-dominated.

“While we see more and more women emerge in important posts, it is important to take note of prejudiced views against women leaders in the workplace.

“It will be hard to break that, but I hope that will not be the case and that full cooperation is given to her.

“We hope prosecutions are not oriented by politics but are of public interest. She has stood for human rights and public interest before, so this should come as natural to her,” Meenakshi said.

Seri Delima assemblyman Syerleena Rashid said the appointment of Latheefa was a step forward and could inspire other women.

Latheefa, who is Lawyers for Liberty co-founder, was appointed as MACC chief for two years from June 1, replacing Shukri Abdull whose contract was allowed to expire ahead of its deadline on May 17, 2020.

KUALA LUMPUR, June 5 — Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah performed Aidilfitri prayers at Masjid Negara here, along with about 10,000 other worshippers in welcoming the month of Syawal.

He arrived at 8.20am, accompanied by Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah.

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, cabinet ministers and other dignitaries joined their majesties.

Al-Sultan Abdullah and the congregation chanted the ‘Takbir Raya’ before performing Aidilfitri prayers, led by Grand Imam Tan Sri Syaikh Ismail Muhammad

The king also exchanged greetings with the people, who did not let go of the opportunity to shake his hand.

Al-Sultan Abdullah later hosted an Aidilfitri open house which was attended by cabinet ministers at the Istana Negara.

Meanwhile, Syaikh Ismail, in his sermon, reminded the Muslims to celebrate Aidilfitri with great joy and strengthened faith. — Bernama

PUTRAJAYA, June 5 — Malaysians from all walks of life turned up in their Sunday best today for the Prime Minister’s Hari Raya Open House at Seri Perdana here.

Numbering in the hundreds, the visitors including families and children began arriving and gathering at the main gate of the Seri Perdana complex as early as 8.30am.

Yet the main crowd-puller was a lone Milo truck distributing cups of the chilled malt chocolate drink, which caused quite a stir among the waiting crowd.

The visitors were only allowed to enter the compound of the prime minister’s official residence at 10am sharp.

Malay Mail also observed some families arriving in colour-coordinated baju raya and queues were interspersed with umbrellas brought by those with the foresight to shield themselves from the sun.

Within the compound, buggies ferrying visitors to the tents where food was being served were also seen shuttling back and forth.

Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman, Education Minister Maszlee Malik, Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Salahuddin Ayub, Human Resources Minister M. Kulasegaran and Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin were among the first Cabinet members to meet and greet entering attendees.

As of 11.30am, long queues of people could still be seen leading up to the Seri Perdana complex.

It is expected that 70,000 people will turn up for the open house hosted by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his Cabinet.