KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 23): The final auditor-general’s (A-G) report on 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) will be tabled in the first week of March, says Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman Datuk Hasan Arifin.

In a statement this morning, he confirmed that the tabling of the report initially scheduled for tomorrow and Thursday had been postponed.

He said the postponement to next week was because most PAC members were overseas to perform the umrah (minor pilgrimage) and attending to important commitments.

“It is important for all PAC members to be present to hear the tabling of the report,” he said.

The Malaysian Insider reported today that PAC members were informed of the postponement in a late night message yesterday.

The message from PAC secretary Johan Afandi read: “Greetings Dato'/Datuk/YB, it is informed that considering many PAC members are abroad, some fulfilling their umrah (minor pilgrimage) and other important commitments, the tabling of the Auditor-General's Final Report on 1MDB scheduled for Feb 24 and 25 has been postponed to a date that will be informed later, thank you – Johan Afandi, PAC secretary.”

It is not known who among the PAC members are abroad or performing their umrah as Parliament is only due to convene next March 7.

On Feb 11, before news of the postponement, Hasan said the focus would now be on the A-G’s final report on 1MDB to be tabled before the bi-partisan committee on Feb 24 and 25.

"The committee will consider calling more witnesses to assist in the PAC report on 1MDB’s management after the A-G’s report is tabled, if it is appropriate and necessary to do so," he said.

He urged the public not to doubt the transparency of the committee’s report that will be tabled in Parliament.

"Our priority is to listen to the A-G’s final report on 1MDB and to complete our report," Hasan said.