PAC members ‘disappear’ despite 2-week notice for 1MDB audit briefing, says source
(TMI) – A member of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has taken his colleagues to task for going overseas despite being informed two weeks earlier that the auditor-general (A-G) would brief them on the final report on debt-laden 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the parliamentarian, part of the 14-member bi-partisan committee, questioned if it was a deliberate attempt to disrupt the tabling of the final audit report.
The A-G had submitted a preliminary report to PAC on July 10 last year.
The PAC member said that committee chairman Datuk Hasan Arifin was among those who had gone abroad.
The Malaysian Insider contacted Hasan through text messages and phone calls to verify his whereabouts, but his mobile phone appeared to have been switched off.
The 14 PAC members are Hasan (Rompin), deputy chairman Dr Tan Seng Giaw (Kepong), Datuk Ahmad Hamzah (Jasin), Datuk Liang Teck Meng (Simpang Rengam), Datuk Abd Aziz Sheikh Fadzir (Kulim Bandar Baru), Datuk Wee Jeck Seng (Tanjong Piai), Datuk Koh Nai Kwong (Alor Gajah), Hasbi Habibollah (Limbang), Datuk Nawawi Ahmad (Langkawi), Datuk Dr Marcus Mojigoh (Putatan), Tony Pua (Petaling Jaya Utara), William Leong Jee Keng (Selayang), Datuk Kamarul Baharin Abas (Telok Kemang) and Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan (Kota Baru).
The PAC member said he was shocked to learn of his colleagues’ absence, including that of Hasan, when the February 24 and 25 meetings were agreed to during the committee’s last session on February 11.
“The scheduled meetings (on February 24 and 25) could not proceed without the chairman although there was enough quorum,” he told The Malaysian Insider.
At least seven members, including the chairman, must be present to conduct a meeting.
“Many now see the postponed meetings as an attempt to keep the 1MDB issue away from the knowledge of the members of Parliament and the public for as long as possible,” the PAC member added.
