Which election promises has the Unity Government broken regarding appointments?

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Unity Government Broken Promises on Key Appointments

The Unity Government, led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, has broken its election promises on three occasions concerning the appointment of an election commissioner. These appointments were made without the mandated review by Parliamentary committees, despite assurances and the readiness of the relevant committee to conduct such reviews. This pattern of action deviates from the government's stated commitment to transparency and parliamentary oversight in critical appointments.
Appointment of Election Commissioner Without Parliamentary Committee Review

The most recent instance involved the appointment of an election commissioner, which proceeded without the customary review by the Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Elections, Institutional Reform and Human Rights. YB William Leong, the chair of this committee, publicly stated on May 17, 2024, that the committee was prepared and had agreed to review the appointment. The government's decision to bypass this process, as highlighted by Bersih, contradicts the principle of open consultation with Parliament for such significant roles.
Deviation from Manifesto Commitments

Both Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) included specific pledges in their respective manifestos, Buku Harapan and PADU, to ensure that key appointments would undergo scrutiny by a Special Parliamentary Committee. This was intended to cover positions such as the Election Commission, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, and the Governor of Bank Negara. The recent appointment of an election commissioner without this parliamentary review is seen as a direct contravention of these explicit promises made to the electorate.
Potential Breach of Federal Constitution

Concerns have been raised that the appointment process may have also contravened Article 114(1) of the Federal Constitution. This article stipulates that Election Commissioners should be appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong after consultation with the Conference of Rulers. As reported, there has been no recent meeting of the Conference of Rulers, leading to questions about whether this constitutional consultation was adequately undertaken for the recent appointment.
Lack of Transparency in Appointment Process

The overall process surrounding this appointment has been characterised by a perceived lack of transparency. Bersih has expressed regret over this, noting that the decision went against the parliamentary committee's desire for an openly conducted process in consultation with Parliament. This has led to a broader critique of the government's commitment to electoral reforms and transparent governance, particularly in light of other recent developments perceived as regressive.

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Which election promises has the Unity Government broken regarding appointments?

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