PAC returns to pre-Abdullah Badawi era as gov't controls top two posts

Pakatan Harapan's progressive move to have the opposition head the Public Accounts Committee has regressed to the practice before 2004 during the leadership of Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his predecessors.

This is because the government now controls both the top positions in the committee.

Mahathir has indicated that Beluran MP Ronald Kiandee, who is now a Bersatu member, need not relinquish his post.

Meanwhile, PAC deputy chairperson Wong Kah Woh (photo below), when asked if he would resign so that the opposition could hold one of the two posts, said the status quo would remain for now.

"Everything remains status quo until Parliament passes a motion to say otherwise.

"So far we didn’t receive any (motion on the PAC leadership). We will continue to discharge our duty to Parliament and matters are all on going at the PAC," he told Malaysiakini.

Malaysiakini understands that Harapan PAC members had written to the prime minister to state their stance on the matter, but with Mahathir currently in Pakistan on an official visit, it is unlikely that a decision would be made anytime soon.

The Alliance and BN had held both the chairperson and deputy chairperson posts from the time of Tunku Abdul Rahman until the end of Mahathir's first run as prime minister in 2003.

Things changed in 2004 when Mahathir's successor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi nominated then Kepong MP Tan Seng Giaw as PAC deputy chairperson.

This practice was continued by Abdullah's successor Najib Abdul Razak in 2013.

In its election manifesto, Harapan had promised to appoint the PAC chief from among the opposition. This was part of the coalition's move to reform Parliament.

Ronald (photo above), however, quit Umno last December, and joined Mahathir's party Bersatu last week.

Mahathir then said that Ronald need not resign, while the latter said he would follow the prime minister's directive.

This did not sit well with Harapan leaders, including DAP's Hannah Yeo and PKR's Nurul Izzah Anwar.

Mahathir, however, said on Saturday that all parties in Harapan had agreed to keep Ronald as PAC chief.

The premier's designated successor Anwar Ibrahim said the manifesto should be followed but agreed to hear the prime minister's views on the matter. - Mkini