Liew: Zahid will be considered for PAC chief

PARLIAMENT | Opposition leader Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s name is being floated to chair the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in Parliament, said de facto Law Minister Liew Vui Keong today.

Questioned specifically if Zahid was being considered for the post, he said only one person was being considered.

While Liew referred to the Umno president, he did not mention him by name.

“For the opposition, only one person is being considered. The name is the name you mentioned earlier, there is no need to mention his name so many times,” he told members of the press at the Parliament lobby today.

Liew added that the Pakatan Harapan manifesto had promised that the opposition leader would be made PAC chairperson.

However, he maintained that it was up to Zahid to accept the post.

“But if he wants the post, I believe it will be considered by the government and the speaker.

“This will be settled in this Parliament sitting,” he said.

Yesterday, deputy speaker Nga Kor Ming said an opposition MP would be considered for the post. 

Party whips to ensure quorum met

Meanwhile, Liew said that Harapan will be entrusting component party whips to ensure enough of its MPs attend the Dewan Rakyat when it sits.

“We will inform component parties to present their whips before the cabinet.

“We hope they will come up with a schedule (among) whips where they will be able to ensure Harapan MPs are always in the hall when the bell rings,” he told the same press conference.

Seremban MP Anthony Loke is DAP’s parliamentary leader while Johari Abdul is PKR’s whip. Amanah and Bersatu have not announced their respective whips.

Yesterday, Dewan Rakyat proceedings were delayed for five minutes following the 90-minute lunch break when lawmakers from both sides of the aisle failed to meet the minimum quorum of 26. 

Liew also said that Harapan will not be taking disciplinary against late or absent MPs in yesterday’s sitting.

“Many of the MPs are new and they might not have known the importance when the bell is rung twice,” he said.

Former minister Rais Yatim suggested yesterday that absent MPs have their allowances slashed and further be publicly named. 

-Mkini