PUTRAJAYA: The appointment of Datuk Seri Wan Suraya Wan Mohd Radzi as Auditor-General is lawful and does not contravene the Federal Constitution, said Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
Fahmi, who is also the Madani Government spokesperson, said that the matter was confirmed by Chief Secretary to the Government (KSN) Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar during today’s Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
"From a constitutional perspective, there is no issue. The appointment aligns with what is clearly stated in the Federal Constitution,” he told reporters during a post-Cabinet press conference on Friday (July 25).
Fahmi said the Chief Secretary also clarified that Wan Suraya had ceased to be a civil servant at the time she agreed to take on the role of Auditor-General, effectively addressing concerns that her appointment may have breached constitutional provisions.
"This means there is no issue of her being an active civil servant at the time of her appointment,” he said, noting that the Public Service Department (PSD) is expected to issue an official statement soon to provide further clarification.
The clarification comes amid recent claims from several quarters alleging that Wan Suraya’s appointment as Auditor-General was unconstitutional.
Critics argued that the role should be held by someone who has already retired or formally resigned from the civil service, to preserve the independence of the office from the executive branch.
Wan Suraya, who previously served as the Malaysian Institute of Integrity (IIM) chief executive officer, was appointed Auditor-General effective June 13, 2023.
Her distinguished career includes prior roles as secretary-general at both the National Unity Ministry and Entrepreneur Development Ministry, as well as serving as deputy secretary-general (Strategy and Monitoring) at the International Trade and Industry Ministry. - Bernama
