LCS fiasco: Sensitive to whom? PAC chair shoots back at Zahid

 

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairperson Wong Kah Woh today shot back at Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for implying that the PAC was "insensitive" in handling matters concerning national security.

In a statement today, Wong said all witnesses at PAC hearings are provided with a copy of the Hansard as required under Standing Order 83(10) and are given seven days to provide corrections, if necessary.

Should any witness require Hansard's contents to be amended or redacted, the PAC would discuss among themselves whether to accede to this request.

This process may also involve seeking advice from the Attorney-General's Chambers whose representatives are present at every PAC hearing.

"In the case of the hearing on the littoral combat ships (LCS), there were no witnesses which applied (to have the Hansard amended)," said Wong.

Under the spotlight

Zahid is currently under the spotlight after the PAC's latest report on the government's procurement of six LCS in 2011 underscored his role in deciding on the project's direction.

According to several testimonies, Zahid decided to use an LCS design that the navy - the end-user - disapproved of.

Zahid had repeatedly tried to shift the blame away from himself. Yesterday, he implied that the PAC was being reckless in its report by exposing "state secrets" and exposing the government to "trial by netizens".

In view of this, Zahid urged the PAC to be "more sensitive" in handling its investigations, especially on national security matters that are still under investigation.

Wong said Zahid's accusations were baseless because the PAC has a history of being discreet when it comes to sensitive matters.

He said that in the case of the PAC's probe on vaccine procurement, the committee and then science and technology minister Khairy Jamaluddin had arrived at a deal to expunge vaccine pricing information from the Hansard.

"The PAC made this decision to ensure that the government did not risk violating its contract with vaccine suppliers.

"I urge Zahid to refer to pages three to five in PAC's full report on Covid-19 vaccine procurement," said Wong.

National security

Similarly, the PAC had also agreed to expunge portions of Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein's testimony from its report, which is currently being drafted, on the Defence Ministry's land swap deal.

PAC chairperson Wong Kah Woh

Wong said in the case of the LCS probe, the PAC fully recognises the need for discretion but "national security" cannot be abused as an excuse to hide wrongdoings.

"The vibrant discussions among the public show just how much people want to know the truth about the LCS project.

"As the PAC chairperson, I will not allow 'national security' to be abused to stop the people from knowing how their money is being spent," said Wong. - Mkini