SHAH ALAM: The Selangor state assembly has approved a motion for the appointment of members of 10 new select committees (SC).

The 10 select committees are district and land office; local authorities, agencies, statutory bodies and subsidiaries, standing regulations, rights and freedom of the House and the special select committee on competence, accountability and transparency (Selcat).

Additionally, the select committees for house management; special select committee on climate change, welfare, health, education, family development, religion, women and well-being; and the public accounts committee which will be chaired by Opposition leader Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali.

All the motions were presented by Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.

Earlier, 22 opposition assemblymen staged a walkout after they were displeased over the list of candidates selected to sit in the committees.

Selangor state assembly speaker Lau Weng San said the select committees would function as a check-and-balance mechanism for the state government in addressing public issues which will enhance the democratic process.

Commenting on the selection of committee members, Lau said he welcomed suggestions from the government and Opposition bloc but the final decision rests with him.

"The issue raised by the Opposition was why the names they gave were changed as some assemblymen sit in more than two select committees. So we made the necessary adjustments but those replaced were from the same bloc," he told reporters after the sitting.

The sitting was adjourned until a date to be announced later. – Bernama