PAC will protect sensitive information if proceedings open to public

 

PAC chairman Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said there was an urgent need to amend the standing orders to allow the public to attend its hearings. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will devise a system to ensure sensitive information concerning national security and defence is protected if its proceedings are open to the public.

PAC chairman Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said should its standing orders be amended to enable the public to attend its hearings, she would not compromise on the confidentiality of sensitive information.

The Masjid Tanah MP said she would discuss the matter with former PAC members as well as representatives from the Attorney-General’s Chambers, public services department, national audit department, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, and the finance and economy ministries.

She said there was an urgent need to amend the PAC’s standing orders to ensure transparency and credibility of the committee in relation to investigations concerning government procurement and issues of governance.

On Tuesday, Mas Ermieyati and her deputy, Wong Shu Qi, called on Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul to propose an amendment to the current PAC standing orders to enable the public to attend its hearings.

Former law minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar reportedly said that opening the PAC’s proceedings to the public could risk various government secrets being revealed. - FMT