While Putrajaya dithers, PAC to reconvene on July 26

 

The powerful Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will reconvene on July 26 in accordance with the recent decree by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong that Parliament meets as soon as possible.

Its meeting will be held five days ahead of the expiry of the emergency period on Aug 1. The PAC's main task is to scrutinise government finances.

In a statement today, PAC chairperson Wong Kah Woh said the decree had specifically mentioned that the Agong wished to see select committees playing a check-and-balance role.

Wong said he has written to Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun on the PAC's decision.

"This meeting will be held in-person involving all PAC and ex-officio members to discuss the schedule for future PAC matters, especially those involving pending cases," he said.

This move could potentially violate Section 14(1) of the Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance 2021 which stipulates that Parliament is to be suspended until the emergency expires.

When contacted for clarification, Wong said he was duty-bound to heed the Agong's decree regardless of Section 14(1).

"Now, the onus is on the prime minister to fix a date for the Dewan Rakyat to reconvene and thus provide some certainty," he said.

Earlier today, Putrajaya committed to reconvene Parliament before Aug 1, ahead of the original September-October target.

However, a decision will only be made when cabinet meets on Wednesday.

The Agong had on two occasions requested that Parliament be reconvened "as soon as possible" in order for MPs to debate the proclamation of emergency and the emergency ordinances.

The king had also decreed that the select committees must meet in order to serve their check-and-balance role. - Mkini