KUALA LUMPUR – Public Accounts Committee (PAC) proceedings should be conducted publicly, said its newly appointed chairman Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin and deputy chairman Wong Shu Qi.
Mas Ermieyati and Wong had asked Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Johari Abdul to amend Section 85 of the Standing Orders, which prevents PAC proceedings from being conducted in the open.
“We believe that PAC proceedings should be conducted openly, to ensure that all PAC proceedings are carried out transparently, with accountability, and with credibility,” they said in a joint statement.
They added that the proposal would be in line with the institutional reform agenda, which is the main focus of the government.
Mas Ermieyati and Wong are also planning to meet with all PAC ex-officios immediately, to discuss PAC matters and direction.
The ex-officios include the Finance Ministry, Economy Ministry, Attorney-General’s Chambers, Public Service Department, National Audit Department, Accountant-General’s Department, and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.
Meanwhile, Mas Ermieyati and Wong also agreed to conduct a visit to the Boustead Heavy Industries Corp shipyard as part of their first task as the 15th PAC.
They said this was to get the latest developments on the littoral combat ship (LCS) project belonging to the Royal Malaysian Navy, which should be reported every three months to the PAC.
Earlier today, Mas Ermieyati was unanimously elected as the new chairman of the PAC, following a voice vote in the Dewan Rakyat.
She will be aided by Wong as the deputy chairman, who was also a member of the committee before Parliament’s dissolution in October last year. – The Vibes, April 4, 2023
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