The Parliament Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has recorded a statement from Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi as the fourth witness of its proceeding into the defence ministry's land swap deal.
PAC chairperson Wong Kah Woh in a statement said Onn spent two hours before the inquiry panel yesterday to explain his role in the construction plans for Paloh army camp that started in 2016 via a land swap method.
"Onn was present in his capacity as former political secretary to the defence minister from 2013 to 2018, and the PAC's inquiry is leaning towards the role he played in a proposal for construction of Paloh army camp from 2016," said Wong.
The Paloh camp is located under the Sembrong parliamentary seat held by Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein.
He was also defence minister from 2013 to 2018, before the rise of Pakatan Harapan to federal power after the 14th general election.
Initially, the developer was to build an army camp at Port Dickson and replace a dilapidated army camp in Rasah. The construction of the army camp at Port Dickson was later dropped.
Wong said Onn was summoned based on discovery by the Governance, Procurement and Finance Investigating Committee, chaired by former auditor-general Ambrin Buang, that the Layang-Layang assemblyperson has connections to the project.
Two others summoned before the PAC that convened at the Kluang District Office were Defence Ministry's secretary-general Muez Abdul Aziz and deputy secretary-general (development) Shahrazat Ahmad.
Wong said past proceeding witnesses included Ambrin and Hishammuddin, as well as Muez who was called for the first time on Nov 30, 2020.
He also said the PAC had, prior to the start of the proceeding, visited the 65-acre Paloh camp to oversee the progress of the construction that would serve as headquarters for the 33 Royal Army Artillery Regiment and 8 Squadron Royal Army Engineer Regiment. - Mkini
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