Bersih chairman Thomas Fann said the appointment of the PKA chairman should be based on merit and free of political influence.

“A clear and unbiased process should be undertaken to assess the suitability of a candidate for such a position.

“We hope that such a process has been conducted to evaluate Ean Yong’s suitability,” he told FMT.

Fann was commenting on the announcement by DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook, who is also the transport minister, proposing Ean Yong’s appointment as the chairman of the statutory body yesterday.

Ean Yong, who is the Selangor DAP deputy chairman, had been the Seri Kembangan assemblyman since 2008. He was also a state executive councillor.

However, the Selangor DAP candidates list yesterday revealed that Ean Yong would be dropped from the coming state election and replaced by former Balakong assemblyman Wong Siew Ki.

Fann refused to speculate whether Ean Yong’s proposed appointment as PKA chairman was pursuant to a deal struck with the party’s leadership following the decision to drop him as a candidate in the state polls.

He said Bersih maintains its stance that elected representatives should not be appointed to statutory bodies and government-linked companies.

“In this case, Ean Yong’s appointment should not be an issue (as he is no longer an elected representative),” he said.