Anwar: Dr M should have say on PAC chief

KUALA LUMPUR, March 18 — Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s views on the chairmanship of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) should be taken into consideration.

Anwar, who heads the parliamentary caucus on reform and governance, said while the Pakatan Harapan election manifesto was unambiguous on the matter, the coalition must still hear out Dr Mahathir’s position.

“Those who asked (for PAC to be led by Opposition) did so because the PH manifesto is clear that the PAC should be chaired by an Opposition.

“However, we have to straighten this matter through a discussion with the PM,” he said when met with reporters at the Parliament lobby, here today.

When asked on Dr Mahathir’s statement that PH leaders had not opposed retaining Ronald as the PAC head, Anwar said he was not aware of the matter.

“I am not aware, I probably have to check,” he said.

Earlier, PAC member Wong Chen said the committee will meet sometime this week to discuss Ronald’s position.

Ronald, who is the former Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker, had joined Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia on Friday, after quitting Umno last December to become an independent MP.