KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 — The Dewan Rakyat made history today when the Public Accounts Committee’s (PAC) report was presented and discussed during the session for the first time.
The report on Training Fund Management and Effectiveness of the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) was tabled by PAC chairman Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin and debated by four MPs.
During the debate’s opening, Paya Besar MP Datuk Indera Mohd Shahar Abdullah congratulated Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul for allowing explanations to be made by PAC and the Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC).
“Congratulations to the PAC chairman and the entire PAC committee for not waiting for the Auditor-General’s report to take this proceeding, an action that goes a long way forward,” he said.
Yesterday, Johari said the PAC and the PSSC would be allowed to present their respective reports in the Dewan Rakyat to help the people better understand, as well as be part of the efforts to raise the Dewan Rakyat’s accountability
PAC member cum Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin also expressed his appreciation to the Dewan Rakyat Speaker for his openness in giving the PAC the opportunity to present its report in the Dewan Rakyat.
Meanwhile, during the winding-up session, Ermieyati said her team would pay attention to the proposal that the PAC also call proceedings on the issue of Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd’s (MAHB) shareholding.
“For the issue raised by the member for Putrajaya, I think not only Putrajaya but many honourable members recommended to PAC to look at MAHB, for PAC to come in, and InsyaAllah, we will take note of the matter,” she said.
Ermieyati was responding to Putrajaya MP Datuk Mohd Radzi Md Jidin’s suggestion for the MAHB issue to be brought into the PAC proceedings immediately.
“The HRD Corp is a historical fact, something that has happened, and we will see how to move forward; this is the same as the 1MDB case.
“I remember reading the 1MDB report that was done by the PAC and that has passed, that’s why I want to suggest to the PAC chairman bring to PAC the issue related to the sale of 30 per cent shares of MAHB to a foreign company,” he said when debating the PAC report.
— Bernama
