The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is demanding Khazanah Nasional provide answers to the National Audit Department over alleged losses it incurred through various investments.
PAC chairperson Nur Jazlan Mohamed (right) revealed today that the PAC has requested that the auditor-general's (A-G) office seek for answers from Khazanah, but the latter has yet to answer any of its queries for over a month now.
"We understand that the auditor-general’s office has some limitations in investigating government-linked companies. But the A-G’s department shouldn't be stopped from investigating anyone," Nur Jazlan, the Pulai MP, told a press conference in the Parliament building.
Among others, he said the PAC is interested in the Malaysian Agrifoods Corporation that set up a food supply chain and cold room facilities but had failed to make money since its inception.
Nur Jazlan said that there are several other Khazanah projects that have attracted the attention of the PAC.
"You must answer the auditor-general’s office. Otherwise, it's insubordination," Nur Jazlan said.
He said that if the PAC does not hear from Khazanah, it would have to call Khazanah in to explain its investments.
'Results take time'
PAC chairperson Nur Jazlan Mohamed (right) revealed today that the PAC has requested that the auditor-general's (A-G) office seek for answers from Khazanah, but the latter has yet to answer any of its queries for over a month now."We understand that the auditor-general’s office has some limitations in investigating government-linked companies. But the A-G’s department shouldn't be stopped from investigating anyone," Nur Jazlan, the Pulai MP, told a press conference in the Parliament building.
Among others, he said the PAC is interested in the Malaysian Agrifoods Corporation that set up a food supply chain and cold room facilities but had failed to make money since its inception.
Nur Jazlan said that there are several other Khazanah projects that have attracted the attention of the PAC.
"You must answer the auditor-general’s office. Otherwise, it's insubordination," Nur Jazlan said.
He said that if the PAC does not hear from Khazanah, it would have to call Khazanah in to explain its investments.
'Results take time'
Meanwhile, Nur Jazlan urged all parties to stop calling the PAC a “toothless” committee.
“That is not fair. We are a bi-partisan committee. Everything we decide here, we decide through consensus. We had to split votes to decide anything,” Nur Jazlan said.
“I hope people are patient enough to see results from us, it takes time,” he further added.
“We need to be fair to everyone. We can’t decide based on allegations or perceptions alone,” he said.
Meanwhile, in a statement, Khazanah claimed that it had received “no such letter or request” from the auditor-general, stressing that it has always responded to the auditor-general in a “professional and timely manner”.
“Khazanah wishes to reiterate that it views positively both the genuine concerns of the public and the various oversight measures placed on us, inter alia, external audit, internal audit, and the National Audit Department’s periodic audits as well as other valid oversight mechanisms, as a positive check and balance to strengthen our systems and performance.
“In this regard, Khazanah is pleased to inform that it has participated in a total of six hearings before the Public Accounts Committee since 2006 and we will continue to do so in future as and when required,” it said.
“That is not fair. We are a bi-partisan committee. Everything we decide here, we decide through consensus. We had to split votes to decide anything,” Nur Jazlan said.
“I hope people are patient enough to see results from us, it takes time,” he further added.
“We need to be fair to everyone. We can’t decide based on allegations or perceptions alone,” he said.
Meanwhile, in a statement, Khazanah claimed that it had received “no such letter or request” from the auditor-general, stressing that it has always responded to the auditor-general in a “professional and timely manner”.
“Khazanah wishes to reiterate that it views positively both the genuine concerns of the public and the various oversight measures placed on us, inter alia, external audit, internal audit, and the National Audit Department’s periodic audits as well as other valid oversight mechanisms, as a positive check and balance to strengthen our systems and performance.
“In this regard, Khazanah is pleased to inform that it has participated in a total of six hearings before the Public Accounts Committee since 2006 and we will continue to do so in future as and when required,” it said.
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