Ismail Sabri: Quit PSC? I'll wait for its meeting with the PM

Opposition leader and Bera MP Ismail Sabri said he will decide whether to resign from the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on Major Public Appointments after the committee meets with the prime minister.

Ismail told Malaysiakini that the committee has decided to meet Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to deliver its message: that the PSC be given a clear and empowered role.

He would wait for Mahathir's view and decision on the matter before deciding whether to continue to be on the PSC, Ismail added.

"The PSC will meet with the PM to deliver our intention for a clearer and empowered role, as promised in the Pakatan Harapan manifesto.

"Among the terms and reference is that before all appointments into key government positions and offices of independent bodies are made, it must first be studied and checked by the PSC before the PSC makes a suggestion to the PM.

"This (terms and reference) will be raised during the meeting with PM. I will hear what he thinks about it and his decision. After that I will make a decision," Ismail said in a text message.

Last month, the Umno vice-president aired his dissatisfaction with Putrajaya's decision on several key public appointments without first referring them to the PSC, including that of former PKR leader and lawyer Latheefa Koya as the MACC chief.

Saying that Putrajaya's decision to bypass the committee in Latheefa's appointment had made the committee a mere rubber stamp, Ismail told Chinese newspaper Oriental Dailythat he would resign from the committee after the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration. - Mkini