(Nov 19): Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman Datuk Hasan Arifin has failed the public by putting an end to press conferences on the panel's hearings following media coverage of his "cari makan" quip, anti-graft and media freedom advocates said today.

They said Hasan's decision was a setback for transparency and access to information on a topic that was of national concern, namely, the debts and dealings of Finance Ministry-owned investment firm 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) executive director Cynthia Gabriel said Hasan's move to censor updates on the panel's probe into 1MDB from the media and public was totally wrong.

"The PAC chief is missing the forests for the trees.

"Instructing to censor updates of the PAC probe from the media and the public is wholly wrong and most certainly a negative step, and an erosion in his duty to be accountable," she told The Malaysian Insider.

Given the public's concern over 1MDB, she urged instead for greater openness and for the Auditor-General Report on the state investor to be made public, saying this was essential to redeem the credibility of government institutions probing into the firm.

Yesterday, Hasan said that he needed to "cari makan" (make a living) when he was asked if PAC would call Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to assist in the bi-partisan panel's investigations into 1MDB.

“Jangan lah, saya pun nak cari makan juga (Please don't, I need to earn a living too),” he said when pressed by reporters.

Hasan's remark, which he later chided the press for reporting, drew immediate flak, with DAP's Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo demanding his resignation.

Hasan said the remark was made in jest and was meant to invite the media for lunch. "Makan" in Bahasa Malaysia means "eat".

The newly appointed PAC chief and Rompin MP today said he would stop the practice of holding press briefings, a decision made ahead of PAC's resumption of hearings on 1MDB next week.

Electoral reform activist Maria Chin Abdullah criticised the move, saying that the public should be kept updated on PAC, which was a key parliamentary oversight mechanism.

"In most countries, PAC hearings are even open to the media and the public, but here, he won't even talk to the media."

Maria said that the issue went beyond whether Hasan wanted to speak to the media, adding that what was even more alarming was his “cari makan” comment.

"We are disgusted with his 'cari makan' comment, which seems to imply that he can't speak as he is beholden to his paymaster.

"He was responding to question on whether to call up Najib for questioning.

"As a PAC chief and chairing a supposedly independent task force, his comment implies he is compromised," the Bersih 2.0 chairman said.

Gerakan Media Marah (Geramm) spokesman Fazallah Pit said Hasan should not be punishing the media for reporting what he said.

As PAC chair, Hasan should know what to say at a press conference, especially on an important topic like 1MDB, Fazallah said.

"If his excuse was that it was a joke, then it just proves he does not respect the role of the media and also looks down on readers and the public.

"Everyone is aware that 1MDB and the 'donation' are hot issues in the country today, so the PAC chairman must be more serious and wise in handling such topics.

"If he does not know how to respond to the media, readers must be questioning his ability to handle important issues, especially when up against powerful politicians.

"In short, if he can't even handle the media, he is not fit to be PAC chairman."

The donation referred to is the RM2.6 billion that was put in Najib's personal bank accounts, which the anti-corruption agency said was a political donation from a Middle Eastern source.

PAC is to resume its 1MDB probe next week with the investment firm's president Arul Kanda Kandasamy and former CEO Datuk Shahrol Halmi scheduled for questioning. – The Malaysian Insider