KUALA LUMPUR, June 15 — Public Accounts Committee chairman Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin today said the auditor-general should be chosen primarily for their experience in handling finance, development and acquisition matters.

She said this was why she previously disagreed with the government appointing a former secretary-general of a ministry to the role.

"Why is that so? Because based on their experience they will have knowledge that is needed for the position (audit-general),” Mas told a press conference in Parliament today.

She previously said appointing former secretaries-general should be avoided for the post even though it could be justified that they have knowledge around the public administration.

The position had been vacant since the retirement of Datuk Nik Azman Nik Abdul Majid on February 23.

On June 12, Malaysian Institute of Integrity (IIM) chief executive officer Datuk Wan Suraya Wan Mohd Radzi was appointed as the new auditor-general.

The Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali reportedly said the appointment was made in accordance with Article 105 (1) of the Federal Constitution and had received the consent of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah after consultation with the Conference of Rulers.

He added that Wan Suraya’s appointment was based on her leadership qualities and vast experience in her 29 years of public service.

Wan Suraya had also served as secretary-general of the National Unity Ministry and Entrepreneur Development Ministry, and in several other capacities at the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, including as deputy secretary-general (strategy and monitoring).