PAC will be headed by opposition MP, says deputy speaker

Nga Kor Ming says the speaker will hold a meeting this Thursday to decide on the candidate.

Deputy Speaker Nga Kor Ming says PH is serious about fulfilling its manifesto promises, including the appointment of an opposition MP as PAC chairman.

KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Nga Kor Ming today confirmed the Public Accounts Committee will be headed by an opposition MP.

However, it would be up to opposition leader Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to decide if they wished to take on the role, Nga added.

Nga said a meeting would be held this Thursday by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof, the deputy speakers and the minister in charge of parliamentary affairs V K Liew.

“We will propose an opposition member as PAC chairman,” he told reporters when asked about the matter.

He said the Pakatan Harapan was serious about fulfilling its manifesto promises, including the appointment of an opposition MP as PAC chairman.

” If we are not serious we will not call for a meeting (on Thursday), ” he said, adding that the decision had to be passed in this sitting which would end on Aug 20.

Asked if the opposition was keen on taking up the position, he said it would depend on Zahid.

The PH government had said previously it wants to strengthen Parliament so that it plays a more effective role in checking the executive. This includes creating parliamentary committees to oversee each government ministry, ensuring top appointments are vetted by parliamentary committees and selecting an opposition MP as PAC chairman.

Under the BN government, the PAC was led by a BN MP.

PAC refers to a committee in the legislature that scrutinises public accounts, invites ministers, permanent secretaries or other ministry officials for questioning, and issues a report of its findings. - FMT