Motion to appoint BN man as PAC head passed, while Khir Toyo back to Assembly

The motion to appoint a member of the opposition bench as the head of the powerful Public Accounts Committee (PAC) was passed at the Selangor state legislative assembly.

This was despite numerous protest by BN state assemblypersons during the debates and subsequently voting against it.

The historical move, will see the appointment of Mohd Shamsudin Lias (BN-Sungai Burong) as the committee's new chairperson, resulting in the setting of a national precedent.

It is the norm in many developed democracies to appoint an opposition legislator to head similar bodies but the BN-controlled Parliament has thus far refused to do so.

State executive councillor Rodziah Ismail, while tabling the motion, said the state government's initiative shows the state government's commitment in upholding the principles of competency, accountability and transparency.

“This is a historical moment where the state government is willing to pave the way for check and balance,” she told the House.

Rodziah said Shamsudin's appointment, if passed by the House, will promote a healthy political culture in the administration.

Shamsudin's experience in conducting audits and serving as a district officer makes him an ideal candidate to head PAC, she added.

“This shows the Selangor government's openness in facing many issues such as (illegal) sand mining. Nothing is closed, it is all out in the open.”

This is the second major precedent set by the Pakatan Rakyat-ruled Selangor administration in as many days, following the tabling of theFreedom of Information Bill yesterday.

Meanwhile, former Mentri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo returned to the Assembly after a year of suspension today.