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THE Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) chairman on Agencies under the Prime Minister’s Department had instructed the secretary of the Dewan Rakyat to fix a date for holding an inquiry into the allegations relating to the share transactions by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Tan Sri Azam Baki.

The secretary made an error in judgement by writing to the minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) for consent to allow the PSC to hold the inquiry.

The PSC reports to Parliament and not to the ministers. Parliament acts as a check and balance to the executive arm of the government. Parliament does not need the executive’s permission to act. Parliament is not the handmaid nor the rubber stamp of the executive.

Since the letter has been sent, I call on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to not obstruct the PSC’s inquiry. The prime minister, as a member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Major Public Appointments (the predecessor of the present PSC), which I chaired, is well aware of the importance and functions of the PSC.

The PSC as a bipartisan committee that carries out a scrutiny function to ensure that fit and proper persons are appointed to major public office.

Although by a different coalition, the prime minister ought to not discard the following cabinet decisions:

Cabinet decision on August 13, 2018, that the appointment of the MACC chief commissioner is to be considered by the Parliamentary Select Committee, and the chief commissioner’s performance and competency to be evaluated by the PSC and outside stakeholders;

Cabinet decision on July 31, 2019 to approve the standard operating procedure (SOP) for the PSC’s consideration on the appointment of the chief commissioner as stated below:

The Malaysian Human Rights Commission;
The Election Commission;
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission;
The Judicial Appointments Commission; and

Such other major appointments as may be decided by the prime minister.

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