KUALA LUMPUR – There are no restrictions prohibiting the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and parliamentary select committees (PSCs) to get back to work, said PAC chief Wong Kah Woh.
In a statement today, Wong had urged Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun to allow the PAC and PSCs to convene immediately.
“Too much time has been wasted in the past six months.
“PAC needs to continue its work of resolving cases that have been previously initiated, as well as reviewing the latest Auditor-General’s Report and the government’s spending on all issues pertaining to the Covid-19 pandemic.”
He added that Azhar and Dewan Negara President Tan Sri Rais Yatim in a joint statement yesterday had proposed that a special sitting be held in early August to make necessary amendments to the Standing Orders for the commencement of a hybrid Parliament sitting by the first week of September, at the latest.
“It is clear that by law, there is nothing restricting the Parliament to be convened at any time, including before the end of the proclamation of emergency on August 1.
“This is in line with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s order which previously stated that he wants Parliament to convene immediately.
“This also means that the PAC and PSCs are no longer and should not be restrained from resuming previously adjourned meetings and proceedings,” he said.
Wong, who is also Ipoh Timur MP, said the Parliament has adequate facilities with its committee meeting room that can accommodate 65 people under normal circumstances and 30 people with standard operating procedures (SOPs) compliance.
“Meetings and proceedings of both committees can be conducted in the usual manner with compliance to SOPs while awaiting the implementation of a hybrid system after technological and methodological issues are finalised.”
He said Azhar had previously informed both the PAC and PSCs that no proceedings of any form – including virtual meetings – can be held while Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara sittings are suspended. – The Vibes, June 27, 2021
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