Push for probe into claims against Bersatu, C4 tells new PAC chief

 

Bersatu’s Mas Ermieyati Samsudin is the new chairman of the Public Accounts Committee. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Newly appointed Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman Mas Ermieyati Samsudin should push for a probe into the alleged misappropriation of Covid-19 relief aid by her party Bersatu, an anti-corruption NGO said.

Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) said the PAC was meant to be neutral and impartial.

Therefore, the committee should not only scrutinise alleged wrongdoing by the current government, but that of the past governments as well, its CEO, Pushpan Murugiah, said.

“They must investigate wrongdoing without fear or favour or party affiliation,” he told FMT.

On Feb 1, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) froze Bersatu’s accounts in connection with an investigation into the alleged misappropriation of billions of ringgit meant for Covid-19 stimulus packages when Muhyiddin Yassin was the prime minister.

Muhyiddin, who is the Bersatu president, denied the allegation and claimed trial to related charges in March.

(The PAC can technically investigate matters that are being tried in court but generally does not do so on grounds of separation of powers, a former MP told FMT.)

Pushpan also suggested that Mas Ermieyati continue with PAC investigations initiated by her predecessors. The PAC should, for instance, continue looking into controversies surrounding the vaccine procurement and ownership of the MySejahtera application and data.

Yesterday, Mas Ermieyati and her deputy, Wong Shu Qi, said they would be visiting the Boustead Heavy Industries Corp (BHIC) dockyard in Lumut to look into the littoral combat ship issue.

BHIC is the major shareholder of Boustead Naval Shipyard which was contracted to build the six vessels. - FMT