(Nov 3): Public Accounts Committee (PAC) member Tony Pua risks facing action under Parliament orders if he reveals information obtained in the bipartisan committee's meetings when he debates 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) president Arul Kanda Kandasamy, Tan Sri Shahrir Samad said.

Shahrir, who is a former PAC chairman, also expressed concern that should the debate proceed, Pua could inadvertently reveal information obtained during PAC proceedings that could jeopardise its probe into the debt-ridden state-owned investment firm, tarnishing the panel's reputation in the process.

The veteran Umno MP told The Malaysian Insider that there were Parliament standing orders prohibiting any member of any select committee from revealing evidence before it is tabled in the Dewan Rakyat.

"Some are saying it's okay since they want so badly to debate, but if he reveals anything from the PAC proceedings that has not been reported to Parliament, he could face action.

"That is why there are some who do not agree to the open debate by him. As a PAC member, he is part of an ongoing investigation process," said Shahrir, who is also chair of the Barisan Nasional Backbenchers' Club.

Shahrir's remarks came as Dewan Rakyat speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia today warned DAP's Pua that he would have to resign from PAC, if he wanted to proceed with the debate with Arul Kanda.

Shahrir said Pua's assurances that he would not reveal information from PAC proceedings were insufficient as his involvement in the debate would still be seen as a conflict of interest.

"We can say we will not do it but people will say there is conflict of interest as he sits on PAC. How to be sure there is no conflict of interest?"

Shahrir added that the outcome of PAC proceedings on 1MDB had not been tabled to the Dewan Rakyat, and so Pua was at risk of committing an offence.

If Pua breached any parliamentary rules, he would face action by way of a motion for insulting the house.

"That is the problem, he (Pua) could do it, either intentionally or unintentionally."

Parliament's Standing Order 85 states that any evidence given before a select committee and any correspondences issued cannot be made public by any committee member, or anyone else, before the committee takes it to the house.

Shahrir said Pua also risked tarnishing PAC's image by going ahead with the debate. The committee is one of the most powerful in Parliament after the Selection Committee.

"As a PAC member, is he compromising the committee's position? After the debate, would it give the impression that the PAC probe is no longer important, and would it bring down its image? That is another matter." – The Malaysian Insider