Appointing retired officials to top positions in commissions, oversight bodies waste of competent civil talents, CSO Platform tells govt

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By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, July 3: The Madani government’s practice of appointing retired officials to top positions in commissions and oversight bodies is a waste of ready and competent talents available in the civil service.

CSO Platform for Reform Steering Committee held this opinion in light of the recent appointment of Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun as the new Election Commission (EC) chairman.

“We acknowledge Ramlan Harun’s extensive experience and commendable track records, recognizing his diligent service and various contributions to civil service over the years.

“However, we emphasise the need for a fresh perspective in pivotal roles such as the EC chairman,” said the committee.

It added that appointing expertise from local, private sector, universities or civil society leaders to these roles would bring the advantage of up-to-date knowledge and a more neutral perspective while reducing political influence.

This could ensure a much more effective and transparent decision-making process that better serves the public interest as the alignments and loyalty to political parties and government are reduced.

Thus, CSO Platform for Reform recommended the federal government an electoral reform, which is for the appointment of the seven EC commissioners to go through the Parliamentary Special Committee on Elections, Institutional Reform and Human Rights.

The committee also urged for the establishment of a Parliamentary Special Committee specifically on electoral reforms.

“We urge the Madani Government to keep their promises on electoral reforms. As an independent oversight body the EC is crucial for national governance because it ensures that election results are credible and impartial.” — DayakDaily