This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on October 25, 2018

KUALA LUMPUR: Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who was summoned by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) for questioning yesterday, may be recalled to give further statements regarding the missing RM19.4 billion goods and services tax (GST) credit returns.

PAC chairman said Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee said that Najib, who was also the former finance minister, may be recalled if the committee felt it necessary to question him further.

Speaking to reporters after yesterday’s meeting, Kiandee said Najib had given his best cooperation required for the proceeding. “I cannot reveal to you what transpired inside [the meeting] but he has given us the best cooperation. He clarified on all the questions asked by the members of PAC,” he said.

“[Najib explained] about the flow of government funds, GST collection and GST refunds,” he added.

PAC deputy chairman Wong Kah Woh said the committee “has obtained the information and confirmation from Datuk Seri Najib regarding some of the key questions that we have brought up” and they will all be entered into the committee report which would later be tabled in Parliament after the conclusion of the proceedings.

“As far as today (yesterday) is concerned, we have managed to get the testimonials we wanted,” Wong added.

Kiandee said that the next and final witness for the proceeding will be current Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng. The meeting has been tentatively set for Oct 30, but may be postponed after the upcoming budget announcement. Kiandee added that the committee is still working on the necessary legal requirements needed to make the PAC findings from the proceedings be made accessible to the public.

“We are currently fighting for the PAC’s findings to be made accessible to the public but it will involve amendments to some of the rules of the meeting, including the Houses of Parliament (Privileges and Powers) Act 1952, so until then we cannot reveal what has transpired inside,” he said.

Others who have given their statements on the issue to the PAC include Customs director-general Datuk Seri Subromaniam Tholasy, former Treasury secretary-general Tan Sri Irwan Serigar Abdullah, and former second finnace ministers Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah and Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.