PUTRAJAYA, May 18 — Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional MPs will jointly decide on the appointment of top government officials such as the Attorney-General, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption chief and Bank Negara Governor, said Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah.

The PH chief secretary told Malay Mail in an interview that parliamentary select committees will be formed in order for MPs from both sides of the political divide to decide on the appointments of these key individuals.

"The select committee will be bipartisan in the real sense of the word. We will form a select committee for the appointment of top officials,” the Indera Mahkota MP explained.

Saifuddin said that any new appointments by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad were temporary, and permanent appointees will be decided later by the select committee.

"For now the PM will appoint the heads of departments… but the actual persons will be appointed by this committee… this includes posts like the AG, Chief Justice, Bank Negara Governor...” he added.

Saifuddin said that was part and parcel of PH’s 60 election reform pledges made during the 14th general election.

"And the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee will be the head of the (federal) opposition, to allow proper check and balance,” he said.

Yesterday, Dr Mahathir made a surprise announcement by naming Datuk Seri Mohd Shukri Abdull as the new Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief.

Shukri retired two years ago as the MACC deputy chief commissioner.

He replaces Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad, who resigned and returned to the Attorney-General’s Chambers, which was his previous posting.