The appointment of Latheefa Koya as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner will be the last to use existing procedure says Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
The Prime Minister said a select committee would henceforth be responsible for the appointment of the main posts in the public sector.
He said the Special Cabinet Committee on Anti-Corruption in its meeting on Thursday (July 18) had agreed that a format or procedure should be put in place to allow a select committee to play this role.
The select committee would be responsible in reviewing the appointments of four main posts, namely the Election Commission chairman, MACC chief commissioner, Judicial Appointments Commission and members of the Human Rights Commission.
“The government agrees that the constitution and acts mention posts to be referred to this parliamentary select committee so that fit and proper candidates are presented for these positions,” he said.
Prior to this, Mahathir was criticized over his choice of Latheefa Koya to head MACC without consulting the select committee.
Mahathir today said Latheefa’s appointment was according to the procedures available.
Meanwhile, he said Putrajaya has agreed in principle to reevaluate tasks and responsibilities of political secretaries.
He said political secretaries are to act as the link between ministers and the people.
“Now they are involved in giving out contracts. And this is not the work of a political secretary,” he said.