Friday 29 Mar 2024
By
main news image

(Oct 19): The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will discuss the future of its member and staunch critic of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) Tony Pua at its first meeting that will convene during the current Dewan Rakyat sitting, newly-appointed chairman Datuk Hasan Arifin said today.

He said that as he was only just appointed to head the parliamentary bipartisan committee, he was not in the position to judge any accusations made against the DAP lawmaker, even from his colleagues in the Barisan Nasional (BN).

"We will discuss about Tony Pua in the first meeting. I cannot judge all the allegations made against him from all these people, including those in Barisan Nasional," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby.

Pua was asked to step down from his post in PAC by various parties, including 1MDB, as the Petaling Jaya Utara MP is under police investigations related to the debt-ridden state investment firm.

Pua had said that police were only questioning him as a witness in their probe, adding that even if he were under investigation, it would not conflict with the investigation into 1MDB.

He was also accused of making biased statements against 1MDB while sitting on the PAC that is probing the state-owned firm.

Hasan said today the first PAC meeting will convene immediately after three more lawmakers are appointed to the panel.

"There will be some changes in PAC, seeing as PAS has split (from the opposition coalition). After all the members are appointed, I will call for a meeting immediately to continue with the work that has been entrusted to the committee."

The PAC vacancies arose after former PAC chairman Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed and members Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican and Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, all from Umno, were appointed as deputy ministers in a Cabinet reshuffle in July.

Nur Jazlan is now deputy home minister, while Reezal Merican is deputy foreign affairs minister and Mas Ermieyati is the deputy tourism and culture minister.

Another PAC member Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau is now the science, technology and innovation minister.

Hasan also said that he was ready for his new role, saying his past experience as former Pahang deputy menteri besar and as member of the executive council of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association would put him in good stead.

"I am ready. I have no problems in handling this post," he said, adding that he was first officially notified of his appointment in a Umno pre-council meeting recently. – The Malaysian Insider

      Print
      Text Size
      Share