Loke said he personally recommended the PAS MP, calling this proof that the government was open and transparent in handling road safety matters.

“I respect him as a professional and fact-based MP. We hope this will set an example for other MPs to also debate with facts, transparently, and respectfully.

“As for Pasir Mas, he needs to learn a bit. I didn’t appoint him because he’s ‘lacking a bit’,” he said during ministers’ question time in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He made the remarks before answering Khairil’s question on the proposed Malaysian Transport Safety Board (MTSB).

Loke said his ministry was drafting a policy to establish the board, but that it would take time to implement.

“There are many processes involved that must be brought to the Cabinet for a policy decision, and this requires the support of various parties.

“To establish MTSB, there needs to be a new bureaucracy, the creation of new posts, and so on,” he said.

The proposal for an MTSB was first raised in a recommendation review panel report after the 2013 Genting Highlands bus accident that resulted in 37 fatalities.