Thursday 28 Mar 2024
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(Oct 29): A member of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has joined the chorus of voices asking colleague Tony Pua to quit the bipartisan panel if he wants to go ahead with a live debate with 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) president Arul Kanda Kandasamy.

Barisan Nasional MP Datuk Liang Teck Meng said the DAP's Petaling Jaya Utara MP should respect parliamentary institution and holding a "no holds barred" TV debate with the chief executive of the state investment firm would be an "insult" to the nation's highest legislative body.

"Holding a live no holds barred TV debate with one of the subjects of the parliamentary inquiry is an insult to Parliament," he said in reference to PAC which was probing 1MDB.

"No respected parliament in the world would allow this.

"If this is a legal case, it is as good as member of the jury or judge arguing with the accused on live TV before the court case. That would be sub judice," Liang said in a statement today.

The Barisan Nasional Simpang Renggam MP also expressed his worries that Pua's impartiality may be compromised if he "loses badly" to Arul Kanda during the debate.

Earlier today, Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said Pua should quit before embarking on the debate to prevent a conflict of interest.

Arul Kanda today accepted Pua's challenge to a live TV interview on the debt-ridden investor, but said the DAP MP must first resign as PAC member to preserve the integrity of the committee and prevent conflict of interest.

Pua earlier challenged Arul Kanda to a live interview to clear the air about the state-owned firm as the 1MDB president had failed to respond to allegations against it.

Pua added that Malaysians were no closer to the truth concerning the scandals as the 1MDB head continued  his public relations campaign with recycled answers. – The Malaysian Insider

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