Kiandee ready to be replaced as PAC chief

Beluran MP Ronald Kiandee said today he is ready to be replaced as the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairperson once a new candidate is identified.

"The prime minister has said that I will be replaced once a new chairperson is identified. So I will abide by that decision," he told journalists after chairing a PAC hearing today.

Kiandee added the issue of him resigning on his own accord "does not arise," as he will only follow Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's instructions.

"To be fair to me, I have repeatedly stated that I will abide by the prime minister's position on my position," he said.

Mahathir, who chairs Bersatu, had previously asked Kiandee to stay on in the role, but later said he would reconsider the decision after protests from Pakatan Harapan MPs.

All opposition MPs were absent from the hearing today, with BN and PAS representatives announcing their resignation from the committee on Monday.

BN's Noraini Ahmad and Ahmad Hamzah, along with PAS' Takiyuddin Hassan, had vowed not to return until an opposition lawmaker is appointed to head the PAC.

Robert Lawson Chaut from Gabungan Parti Sarawak remains on the committee, but was absent today due to an overseas trip.

Kiandee was appointed to head the PAC in August last year. In March, however, he defected from Umno to Bersatu, which is part of the ruling coalition.

In its election manifesto, Harapan had promised that the PAC chairperson position would be reserved for the opposition in the interest of check and balance. - Mkini