PETALING JAYA, Oct 5 ― Many political leaders do not yet have a full grasp of the spirit of the Constitution, which throws up speed bumps on the road to reform, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Latheefa Koya said today.
The former PKR politician told a regional law conference here that reform must begin with politicians, whom she said have failed to embrace the constitutional spirit that embodies fairness and accountability.
“We hear lots of speeches, quotes, proposals, well-written arguments about what is needed for reforms,” Latheefa said at the roundtable discussion on the importance of constitutional structures and institutions.
“But who carry these proposals? Those in power, the political players, leaders or party leaders… but these leaders we put in power have yet to understand constitutionalism,” she said.
The Pakatan Harapan (PH) government has come under public scrutiny over its failure to meet several key election pledges, including public institutions reforms.
But Latheefa, drawing references from her own experience as the newly-appointed MACC chief, said PH's reform drive is often blunted by reactionary forces within the ruling coalition and the civil service ― the people “you least expect”.
“You have these dynamics… and sometimes you get resistance from the people you least expect.
“It's politicking on every little thing,” she said.
Speaking to reporters after the roundtable talk, Latheefa said those who resist reform come from all sides.
“I was saying in general… this resistance comes from both sides,” she said, referring to members of the ruling PH and those in the Opposition parties.
*Editor’s note: A previous version of this story contained an error which has since been corrected.
