In Shah Alam, the Selangor state assembly has given the green light to a motion for the appointment of members of 10 new select committees (SC).
These 10 select committees cover a range of areas including district and land office; local authorities, agencies, statutory bodies and subsidiaries, standing regulations, rights and freedom of the House and the special select committee on competence, accountability and transparency (Selcat).
In addition, there are select committees for house management; a special select committee on climate change, welfare, health, education, family development, religion, women, and well-being; and the public accounts committee which will be chaired by Opposition leader Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali.
All the motions were brought forward by Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
Earlier, 22 opposition assemblymen walked out in protest after they expressed dissatisfaction over the list of candidates selected to sit in the committees.
Selangor state assembly speaker Lau Weng San explained that the select committees would play a crucial role as a check-and-balance mechanism for the state government in dealing with public issues, which will ultimately enhance the democratic process.
Lau also addressed the selection of committee members, stating that he welcomed suggestions from both the government and opposition bloc, but the final decision rested with him.
After the sitting, he told reporters, “The issue raised by the opposition was why the names they gave were changed as some assemblymen sit in more than two select committees. So we made the necessary adjustments but those replaced were from the same bloc.”
The sitting was adjourned until a later date to be announced. – Bernama
