Putrajaya should have delayed the appointment of Madinah Mohamad as auditor-general until the audit on the Education Ministry has been given a clean bill of health, a former top civil servant said today.

The civil servant, who spoke to Malaysiakini on condition of anonymity, pointed out that Madinah was previously the Education Ministry secretary-general, which meant that she was in charge of the ministry's finances.

The Education Ministry has the biggest budget among all the ministries.

"What are the chances of her taking actions (as auditor-general) if things are found wanting during her watch (at the ministry)," the retired senior civil servant asked.