LCS saga: Current, former PAC chairs trade barbs

 

A former Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairperson has accused his successor of abusing his position to benefit Pakatan Harapan.

In a statement yesterday, Johor Umno deputy chief Nur Jazlan Mohamed, who was the PAC chief between 2011 and 2013, also accused Wong of being unqualified to hold the position.

Nur Jazlan (left) said that he was a chartered accountant who was "amat arif" (well versed) in the procedures for reporting findings by the PAC.

As for the current PAC chief Wong Kah Woh, Nur Jazlan said the former does not have experience in government administration, corporate audits or international standard audits.

"Wong and PAC are creating a political issue for the opposition which they can use for the next general election.

"That is why the PAC report on the littoral combat ship (LCS) has emerged. To me, (the PAC report) was 'flavoured' with all sorts of allegations against Umno leaders," said Nur Jazlan.

Reports are consensus-based

In response, Wong today said he had pointed out repeatedly in the past that PAC was a bipartisan body and all of its reports are produced based on consensus.

"Everyone who sits on the PAC - from both blocs of the Parliament - are united in wanting to protect public funds," he stressed.

On allegations that Wong, a lawyer, was unqualified to chair the committee, he pointed out that similar bodies in Australia, New Zealand and the UK were not headed by chartered accountants as well.

Wong then invited the public to go through PAC archives themselves to evaluate the quality of committee reports produced during his time and that of Nur Jazlan.

On Nur Jazlan's tenure as PAC chief, Wong said he respected the former's performance, especially during the proceedings over 1MDB.

"However, mid-way through the proceeding on 1MDB, Nur Jazlan accepted his appointment as deputy minister and resigned as PAC chief on July 28, 2015.

"He should have used his wisdom to help PAC at the time and complete the proceeding first. Show that you are different lah!" he added. - Mkini