Hisham welcomes PAC probe, wants it extended to cover Dr M’s first term

PARLIAMENT | Former Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein has welcomed the Public Accounts Committee (PAC)’s move to probe several land swap deals involving his former ministry.

"Good. Do it. I’ve got nothing to hide," he told the media at Parliament lobby

He, however, urged the Pakatan Harapan-controlled PAC not to be selective in its investigation.

"They have to be fair and investigate the land swap deal (all the) way until the beginning and that was during the time of (Dr) Mahathir (Mohamad) as the prime minister (from 1981)," he said.

Previously, current Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu disclosed that land swap dealsinvolving the ministry have resulted in over RM500 million in losses and leakages.

Malaysiakini has learned that the losses and leakages occurred through 16 projects dating as far back as 1997.

Former auditor-general Ambrin Buang, who headed the special investigation committee on procurement, governance that furnished the Defence Ministry with the land swap details, is due to meet PAC members this evening.

PAC deputy chairperson Wong Kah Woh confirmed the meeting and dismissed the selective investigation concerns raised by Hishammuddin.

"We believe that Amrin, in his briefing with PAC, will provide us all the details of the land swap, from A to Z," he said.

"It is not just the land swap in Paloh and Sembrong, but also other lands and army camps," he said.

[More to follow] - Mkini