With Kiandee in Pakatan, PAC to meet over chairmanship

KUALA LUMPUR, March 18 — Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will convene a meeting this week over the post of its chairman now that incumbent Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee is part of the ruling coalition.

PAC member Wong Chen said that while Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad could advise Kiandee to stay, the committee must decide the matter itself.

Pakatan Harapan pledged to reserve the role of PAC chief for the Opposition.

“It is clear that the PAC needs to have a meeting by ourselves as the members of PAC.

“The PAC meeting amongst the members will be to discuss (the matter) in the best environment (and what) is the way forward.

“Of course we take the PM’s advice but, ultimately, it is up to the PAC members,” he said when met at the Parliament lobby, here today.

Echoing the statements made by Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar and Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh on Friday, Wong said the PAC should be led by an Opposition as it is meant to monitor the current government’s wastage and corruption issues.

“Otherwise people will blame the PAC for whitewashing or hiding information.

“Going forward in the new Malaysia, it is very important that the PAC continues to be led by the Opposition, which is the standard practiced everywhere in the world,” he said.

Ronald, who was previously an Umno MP, had on Friday along with three other Sabah ex-Umno MPs joined Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM).

The Beluran MP had quit to become an independent lawmaker last December.