KUALA LUMPUR (May 17): The Dewan Rakyat Special Select Committee (PSSC) on Human Rights, Elections, and Institutional Reforms has agreed that the process of appointing a new chairperson of the Election Commission (EC) should be conducted openly, and in consultation with Parliament.

In a statement on Friday, PSSC chairman and Selayang Member of Parliament William Leong Jee Keen said the committee stands ready to convene a meeting to review the candidates to be considered for the position of the EC chair.

He said the PSSC will then submit recommendations to the government and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to aid His Majesty and the Conference of Rulers in exercising their discretion under Article 114 of the Federal Constitution.

“Taking the step to engage Parliament [through the PSSC] in the process of appointing the next EC chair is a gesture of goodwill to our civil society partners and a recognition of their concerns, while also demonstrating that the unity government is committed to delivering real, immediate, impactful reforms, alongside long-term structural reforms,” it said.

This follows calls for a transparent and consultative process in the appointment of the next EC chairperson, urging for the prior vetting of candidates by a parliamentary committee.

Bersih, alongside 80 other non-governmental organisations, think tanks, and notable individuals, made this call in a joint open letter on May 9.

Leong said the vacancy of the role comes at a critical juncture. As noted in Bersih’s open letter on May 9, "the EC plays the critical role of regulating the conduct of elections, reviewing and revising the electoral roll, and delineating/redrawing constituencies”.

He added that the EC’s role will be particularly important in the coming months and years, as it oversees the delimitation of constituencies under Article 113(2) and Schedule 13 of the Federal Constitution, which could impact the electoral process for the next decade or more.

“A transparent and consultative appointment process for chairpersons of public bodies like the EC is vital for a healthy, stable democracy, and to instill public confidence in our institutions.

“Institutions that are pivotal to our democracy must function - and must be seen to function - independently and free from political influence,” it said. 

Leong noted that the Madani government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had proven its commitment to institutional reforms through ongoing efforts, including setting up an independent parliamentary service, creating the office of the ombudsman, enacting freedom of information laws, reviewing the role of the attorney general, and improving the electoral process.

He stated that the PSSC will continue to work closely with the government on these and other measures to strengthen the transparency, independence, and accountability of our institutions and public officers.

However, he added that many of these reforms involve structural and legal changes, and therefore time is required to fully study and implement them. 

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