PETALING JAYA: Wangsa Maju MP Datin Paduka Dr Tan Yee Kew (pic) has signed an online petition calling for the resignation of newly-minted Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Latheefa Koya.

The change.org petition said Latheefa's appointment is against Pakatan Harapan's principle of having political appointments in MACC.

It said efforts to reform MACC into an independent body free from political appointments had been tainted.

The petition, which was started by an account called Malaysia Baharu on Thursday (June 6), received over 1,600 signatures as of 4pm on Friday (June 7).

When contacted, Dr Tan said her endorsement of the petition had nothing to do with Latheefa's credibility or capability.

"If her appointment has gone through the process and is agreed by Cabinet Ministers and the Parliamentary Select Committee, I would have no objection," she said.

Dr Tan, who is also PKR treasurer-general, said her objection is about the process and Pakatan's core principles of institutional reforms.

"We have been campaigning for the independence of the judiciary, the Election Commission, the MACC and the National Audit Department.

"We have promised our voters that the new Pakatan government would take steps to empower Parliament and limit the power of the Prime Minister over the appointment of the chiefs of these agencies which is crucial in fighting corruption," she added.

Dr Tan said Latheefa's appointment had "clearly deviated" from the principle and spirit of institutional reforms.

"Latheefa, who fought together with us for institutional reforms in the past 20 years, must refuse the appointment which has (not been) passed by Cabinet and the parliamentary select committee," she said.

She said Latheefa's resignation would show that the lawyer is still pushing for institutional reforms.

Latheefa's appointment, announced on June 4, came as a surprise to many.

She replaces Datuk Seri Shukri Abdull, who quit before his tenure was to have ended in 2020.

She has resigned as a PKR member and the executive director of Lawyers For Liberty.

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had said it was his personal decision to appoint Latheefa to the post, and that he did not consult the Cabinet on the matter.

However, Dr Mahathir added that he had "listened to many people" before making his decision.

The Prime Minister added that he would be "tied" if Cabinet were to decide.

"I am free to evaluate and make the appointment," he said.