Key public appointments will be made Dr Mahathir’s way, for now

Ragananthini Vethasalam Ragananthini Vethasalam Updated 7 years ago · Published on 11 Jun 2019 12:50PM · 5 Comments

Dr Mahathir Mohamad says the parliamentary select committee for major appointments does not yet have legal standing as a decision-maker in the selection of candidates to fill key government posts, at a press conference at the Prime Minister’s Department today. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, June 11, 2019.

THE government will stick to the old ways of filling key government posts for now as it is not yet the law for the candidates to be screened by the parliamentary select committee for major appointments, said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He said the law to make the process mandatory has to be passed by two-thirds of Parliament.

“They (select committee) cannot function legally yet,” he said after chairing the Economic Action Council meeting today.

Certain provisions in the federal constitution would have to be amended to legalise the parliamentary select committee, he said.

“To change that we need a two-thirds majority and the government doesn’t have the two-thirds majority.”

As such, Dr Mahathir said that for now, the appointments will be made the old way, in which the prime minister has the prerogative to pick the candidates.

On whether the cabinet was consulted on previous appointments of heads of key government agencies, Dr Mahathir said he is not required to do so.

“I am not required to consult the cabinet. I can ask for opinions from various people and o decide based on the merits of the candidate.”

Debates raged over the recent appointment of Latheefa Koya as the new chief of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), who was picked by Dr Mahathir on his sole discretion and without prior consultation with cabinet members. – June 11, 2019.

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Comments

  • Mahatir we support you in your way of appointing LK in her role as at that juncture it is neccessary BUT do not think that you are given a free hand in everything. Pass the bill in the parliament and you shall see 2/3 majority supporting it. Do not overplay and think that you are popular with the decision as we need to reform and we do not need a PM to be a dictator. Stop it or rakyat will stop you. OSTB has written in his blog that a government is easily toppled by rakyat "work to rule" rather than Bersih going to street rally. malaysia has yet to do that and it is welcome change as it is non violent !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Posted 7 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • Tun Mahathir is not your close friend, so please be more respectful. Do not address him simply Mahathir.

    Posted 7 years ago by Ahmad pauzi md yusof · Reply

    • You address him on what you like and I address him what I like. He is no my close friend and neither do I want it to be so but he is a PM in my country where there is no wrong in me calling his given name. Infact my calling him by what his parents give him his name which is higher than any honorific titles which are bestowed and man made. Stop your ampu bodek style by calling out the honorific title which does not neccessary show your true respect for our reveramce for a person is on his actions and the recognition earned. Stop patronising with all the false names calling .

      Posted 7 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • Its the people choice in addressing given name or titles it would be better to address our PM as Dr Mahathir Respect Why Yes we Do even if you call him by his name Mahathir .....Sir, Dr, Tun is a Title not his Name Respect Yes.

    Posted 7 years ago by Danial Abdullah · Reply

    • Again like I said, his given name is the respect accorded to both him and his parents. All the honorific are what is earned and has nothing to do much with anyone. Respect and reverance are by what the weightage in the act. Many called him by honorific titles but deep in their heart and act are so devious and conniving with total hatred and disrespect unseen. It is known wisely that as long as one still call you respectfully by names is one who cares and concern. No pretense like many. Different strokes diffrent folks. BTW -- Do you know that medical specialist are only by names and the Dr. are dropped.

      Posted 7 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply