What monitoring? We cannot even function, PAC chief tells minister

Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman Wong Kah Woh has rubbished de facto law minister Takiyuddin Hassan’s claim that the body can monitor the government’s actions during the emergency, saying that the PAC cannot even function.

In a statement, Wong said Takiyuddin was either in the dark or did not now of the impact of the emergency on the PAC and other Parliamentary Select Committees (PSC).

Takiyuddin had hours earlier said there should be no doubt or suspicion of abuse of power by the government as the system was “functioning as usual”.

He said this included monitoring by enforcement authorities, especially the Malaysian Anti- Corruption Commission (MACC), the national audit department and the PAC.

Wong Kah Woh.

But Wong said the Dewan Rakyat speaker has informed both the PAC and PSCs that no proceedings can be held while Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara sittings are suspended.

He added that he and fellow MP Kelvin Yii, who chairs the PSC for health, science, and innovation have openly called for the PAC and PSCs to be allowed to reconvene.

“But our call was ignored by the government and Dewan Rakyat speaker. I want to know if Takiyuddin really does not know about this or if he is trying to mislead the public.

“The PAC will not allow its name to be used by Takiyuddin to create a perception that the government ‘has nothing to hide’.”

Wong said Takiyuddin’s remarks clearly acknowledged the need and importance of a monitoring mechanism, although this could not be done when the PAC and PSC were paralysed.

“I again urge the Dewan Rakyat speaker to allow the PSCs to reconvene immediately to carry out their functions to monitor the government’s administration and finances especially on its expenses during the emergency.

“At the same time, the government must allow Parliament to sit so that the PAC can table our report in the interests of the people and nation.” FMT