The Malaysian Insight

ANTI-GRAFT chief Latheefa Koya today took aim at politicians, accusing them of lacking integrity that is hampering the much needed reforms in the country.

Latheefa, who is the former Lawyers for Liberty director, told a regional law conference that politicians need to internalise constitutionalism and practice it instead of just preaching.

She said political leaders need to embrace constitutionalism instead of just giving pretty speeches about it.

She, however, added that these political leaders also lack understanding with regards to constitutionalism.

“The real problem now is to get these leaders to embrace constitutionalism before anything else is done,” she said in a panel discussion at the LawAsia Inaugural Constitutional and Rule of Law Conference in Petaling Jaya.

“For years, we saw these people take to the streets to advocate for free speech. Now these people are in power, they make police reports about people who criticise them.”

Latheefa said that she was not targeting anybody but was merely speaking as a former member in the PKR central leadership.

“With that position, I had the experience of dealing with many other politicians.

“My experience tells me that these very leaders needs to embrace constitutionalism,” she said.

“Both sides are the stumbling block. It’s across the board.

“Whether it’s PH or BN, constitutionalism needs broad support to become internalised.” – October 5, 2019.