This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on March 26, 2019

KUALA LUMPUR: All three opposition members on the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) have resigned, amid an on-going row over the chair, after the committee’s head crossed over to the government recently.

The members who quit are PAS secretary general Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan (PAS-Kota Bharu), and Umno members of Parliament (MPs) Datuk Noraini Ahmad (BN-Parit Sulong) and Datuk Seri Ahmad Hamzah (BN-Jasin).

Announcing their resignations at Parliament lobby, Takiyuddin said the opposition has also proposed that Noraini take over the chairmanship from Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee, who recently joined the ruling Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition’s component Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.

“We will remain outside of the PAC until the government gives up the chairmanship to the opposition,” he said.

Kiandee had been backed by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to remain in the post despite crossing over, but changed his stand after several government MPs expressed disagreement.

Dr Mahathir had reportedly said that PH’s promise for the PAC chairman to come from the opposition was not enshrined in the federal constitution. On Monday, he said a new candidate is currently being sought.

Earlier, Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Nga Kor Ming told reporters outside the Dewan Rakyat that the appointment of a new PAC chairman will be conducted “at the right time”, on grounds that a change now will affect ongoing proceedings involving the committee.