PKR veep: DIGP's appointment should have gone through select committee

Abdul Hamid Bador's appointment as acting deputy inspector-general of police should have gone through the Parliament's special select committee on major public appointments, said PKR vice-president Chang Lih Kang.

In a statement, the Tanjong Malim MP congratulated Abdul Hamid over his appointment but added that it should have been in line with the government's reform agenda.

"I am of the opinion that the appointment of major government posts, such as the inspector-general of police and his deputy, should undergo pre-appointment scrutiny by the special select committee.

"The power to make important appointments to government posts should not be left in the hands of a leader, be it a minister, or prime minister.

"Therefore, the special select committee which comprises seven MPs from both the government and opposition, is the best platform to scrutinise important government appointments," he added.

The select committee is one of the six bipartisan committees announced in December last year.

Each committee will have seven members, headed by a Pakatan Harapan lawmaker, and two places for the opposition.

Abdul Hamid (photo, right) was appointed the acting DIGP earlier today, replacing Noor Rashid Ibrahim (photo, left) who will retire on March 17.

Chang noted that pre-appointment scrutiny is not uncommon, with the UK undergoing the process in appointing at least 60 people to top government posts as of January this year.

"This is a part of the (UK's) appointment process since 2008. The step has assured that the executive is kept in check by the Parliament.

"Since the DIGP is an important position, and Abdul Hamid's appointment is not yet final (still acting), I urge the government to make the appointment to the post to be made the first task for the Parliament's special select committee on major public appointments.

"With great willpower, we have established special select committees in Parliament, I am confident the government will utilise them the best way possible," he added.