Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, who is PAS deputy president, said it was Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s legal prerogative to unilaterally appoint Latheefa as MACC chief.

“However, this episode also proves that the parliamentary select committee formed to make major public appointments is a committee that plays no role.

“Therefore, as one of the committee members, I suggest that the chairman William Leong suspend this committee immediately since, once again, the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government has not been able to take seriously and respect its own manifesto and promises,” he said in a statement today.

Mahathir said on Wednesday that he had not discussed the matter with his Cabinet to avoid being tied down to their decision.

Asked if this goes against the PH manifesto to make MACC free and independent, he said it was not a conflict of interest as Latheefa had resigned from PKR.

But Tuan Ibrahim said PH’s manifesto states that major public appointments must go through the parliamentary select committee.

The Kubang Kerian MP also said PH had promised that no political appointments would be made in civil service posts.

“The same manifesto also states that Mahathir will give way to Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister when the time comes.

“Unfortunately in this episode, PH has once again shown that its promises cannot be taken seriously.

“PAS suggests that the select parliamentary committee on major public appointments be disbanded until PH can honour its own promises.”