Perkasa flays Seng Giaw for being soft on PAC chief

Malay rights NGO Perkasa has hit out at DAP parliamentarian Tan Seng Giaw for being soft on Public Account Committee (PAC) chief Hasan Arifin for tampering with the committee's final report on the mismanagement in state-owned 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

"Perkasa bureau for integrity, anti-corruption and abuse of power wondered why he can be apologetic toward the actions of Hasan who deleted portions of the committee's report on the 1MDB case," said the bureau's secretary in a statement.

This, Perkasa argued, is important as the words edited out are those that touched on a major issue, which is the identity of the owner of the company that 1MDB management allegedly diverted millions to, from its supposed joint venture investment with Saudi firm PetroSaudi International.

As disclosed by PAC member and DAP parliamentarian Tony Pua, the deleted sentences pertain to Bank Negara stating that it was informed that Good Star's owner is not PetroSaudi but a private individual.

Hasan has admitted to editing out the sentences but claimed that he did so because the issue was still unclear and it was linked to a matter under probe.

He also said any MP or PAC member who has an issue with his action can bring it up in the committee’s next meeting or in the Parliament itself.

Tan, who is also the committee's deputy chairperson, however said that other MPs who are not PAC members should do it as he considered that Hasan had apologised and admitted his "mistakes" and should not be troubled by it any further.

"The matter of the editing of the report without the agreement of other PAC panel members cannot be easily dismissed as the 1MDB scandal is a major issue which can affect the economic health of the country and the reputation of the government involved," argued Perkasa in response to Tan's magnanimity.

The Perkasa bureau calls for the PAC to revert the report to its previous form before the edit by the committee's chief, in addition to calling for action to be taken against Hasan for removing the crucial sentences without permission.

Perkasa calls upon PAC members to table a motion in the Dewan Rakyat so that action can be taken against Hasan, including referring him to the Rights and Privileges Committee.

"At the same time, Perkasa has long since called for the government to form a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) to investigate the 1MDB scandal thoroughly, fairly and without reservation for the sake of the country's image," concluded the NGO, repeating its call for a RCI to look into the matter. -Mkini