Disagreements over Latheefa bring to fore PKR factionalism

The appointment of former PKR member Latheefa Koya as the new MACC chief has generated much debate with some praising her no-nonsense character as befitting for the job, while others have questioned the appropriateness of the process in her surprise appointment.

Her appointment has also left PKR leaders divided - and by coincidence or not - along factional lines.

PKR vice-president Tian Chua, in a commentary, backed Latheefa's appointment. 

He also noted that Latheefa had been a dedicated lawyer and at the same time a critic of party president Anwar Ibrahim. Tian Chua had previously also spoken out against Anwar. 

Their critical stance has led to them being viewed - fairly or not - as being in the camp of Anwar's rival, PKR deputy president Azmin Ali (below).

Taking the opposite position were PKR's Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and Wangsa Maju MP Tan Yee Kew, both of whom are staunch Anwar backers.

Both have signed a petition calling for Latheefa's resignation. Taking to Twitter, Nik Nazmi also urged the public to sign the petition.

"Harapan has given a commitment for the MACC commissioner to be confirmed by a parliamentary committee. Let us sign this petition for that commitment to be fulfilled," he said.

However, Nik Nazmi was then met with complaints about his own conduct on appointments when he was PKR Youth chief.

Responding to Nik Nazmi's Twitter post, PKR Youth member Habib Mazlan uploaded the Setiwangsa MP's manifesto when he had contested for the position of PKR Youth.

The manifesto, which carried Nik Nazmi's (photo) campaign logo, had promised to hold a convention for the appointment of state PKR Youth chiefs.

This is in contrast to the convention where the central chief has the discretion to appoint any state chiefs he or she deems suitable.

"YB won, but the state chiefs were never appointed through a convention. YB even appointed himself as the Selangor PKR Youth chief without the agreement of the Selangor divisions," said Habib.

The criticism was subsequently picked up by PKR vice-president Zuraida Kamaruddin, Azmin's right-hand woman, who replied on Twitter: "Is that so? It's not too late for those who are lazy to read".

Zuraida also responded to Habib's complaint that PKR Youth had not held a political bureau meeting for more than a year.

"Hopefully, there are improvements under the new leadership," she said.

Johor Bahru MP Akmal Nasir succeeded Nik Nazmi and the new line-up was unveiled in late December last year.

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