Latheefa resigns as MACC chief?

Speculation is abound that MACC chief commissioner Latheefa Koya has resigned, but repeated attempts by the media to seek comment have gone unanswered.

One source told Malaysiakini that she has tendered her resignation several days ago.

If true, this would be the second resignation of a top civil servant following last week’s political turmoil, after attorney-general Tommy Thomas resigned on Feb 28.

Meanwhile, Sinar Harian reported that Latheefa had met Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin about her resignation this morning, before turning up at the Kuala Lumpur High Court to testify at a corruption trial against former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak.

The Malaysian Insight reported that when Latheefa was approached by reporters outside the courtroom, she refused to comment on speculation of her resignation.

“I am here for the court case. No comment on that,” she was quoted as saying.

The Malay Mail quoted unnamed sources saying that MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Azam Baki will clock in on Monday in her place.

The report said this will be an interim position, but he is likely to be promoted to MACC chief permanently in due course.

Malaysiakini has contacted both Latheefa and Azam for comment but have yet to receive a response.

Repeated questions from reporters at the MACC-media WhatsApp group were also met with silence.

Latheefa was appointed as MACC chief for a two-year term beginning June 1 last year until May 31, 2021.

In immediate response to rumours of Latheefa's resignation, Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil said this does not bode well for Malaysia's efforts to combat corruption if the rumours are true.

"Only this morning Latheefa said that (former federal territories minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor's) massive wealth would be investigated, and tonight rumours abound about her resignation," he said on Twitter.