The government spokesman said this willingness to consider a wide range of views aligned with the administration’s ongoing efforts to drive institutional reforms.

“The government is open to feedback from all quarters, whether it pertains to legislative changes or process improvements, in order to strengthen critical institutions for the country’s advancement,” he told a press conference after today’s Cabinet meeting.

When asked whether the government would extend the tenure of current MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki, Fahmi said the matter was not raised in the Cabinet meeting.

The Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) was reported as saying yesterday that the conclusion of Azam’s term presents an opportunity to democratise the appointment process.

C4 said in a statement that the current practice, which gives the prime minister discretionary power over the appointment, has faced criticism for potentially exposing the process to political influence.

While amending the laws to address this may take time, C4 suggested that the government could take interim steps, such as opening the process to public nominations and considering input from opposition parties and civil society groups.

Citing sources, Bloomberg reported last Friday that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is poised to give Azam a six-month extension in heading the anti-graft agency.

Azam, who turns 62 in May, already had his term extended by one year twice.