KUCHING: Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Chong Chieng Jen has admitted that the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) has been overlooked in the appointment process of the new MACC chief Latheefa Koya.
Thus, he hoped that it will not be repeated in future, but he was quick to add that it was the prerogative of the prime minister to make the appointment.
Chong who is the State DAP chairman said under the MACC Act there is no express provision stating that the appointment of its chief should be referred to the PSC.
“PSC is a very new committee so the function and the whole process is still not so established yet,” he said at a press conference here today.
He added that PSC was only created after Pakatan Harapan (HP) formed the government in May last year.
To a suggestion from a reporter that the PSC should be abolished, Chong who is the MP for Stampin and Kota Sentosa assemblyman said the PSC served a very important function.
He rebutted criticisms by the MP for Santubong Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi and State assemblyman for Muara Tuang Datuk Idris Buang who said the appointment of the new MACC chief does not comply with PSC requirements.
Chong has this to say to them: “They are criticising and looking at the spec in the eyes of PH but they are totally blind to the log in their own eyes.”
“Have they all these years in the government ever suggested the establishment of PSC? Even now have they ever push for the establishment of the DUN select committee to oversee the appointment of important positions in the state agencies?” he asked.
He added that if Wan Junaidi and Idris think that the process is important then they should push for the establishment of the DUN Select Committee to emulate the steps taken by the federal government to ensure transparency in the appointment if important positions in all State government agencies.
