IT is unfair to accuse Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad of making unilateral decisions, Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu said.

He said the government makes its decisions after the prime minister, deputy prime minister and the cabinet has discussed the matter and considered all views.

Mohamad, popularly known as Mat Sabu, said cabinet members took collective responsibility on all government decisions.

“It is unfair for some parties to accuse the PM of making decisions on his own and putting the blame on him.

“In fact, in some situations, he is too democratic and even gives in when there are better views and arguments.

“The PM has never forced his opinions on other cabinet members,” he said during a press conference at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition.

Mohamad did not name the parties blaming or accusing Dr Mahathir. But his comments come as debate swirled around Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar’s resignation from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) over the decision to retain Dr Ronald Kiandee as its chairman.

Nurul Izzah had also told Singapore paper The Sunday Times that she had found it “hard” working with Dr Mahathir.

Pakatan Harapan had promised in its GE14 manifesto that the PAC would be led by an opposition lawmaker.

Kiandee was appointed after the general election last year when he was still an Umno MP. He then quit Umno and recently joined Bersatu, leading to calls for him to vacate the post. 

However, Dr Mahathir said there was no need for him to do so, leading to criticisms from outside and within PH, including Nurul Izzah’s “protest resignation”.

Yesterday, it was reported that PAC members from Barisan Nasional and PAS would also quit the committee until Dr Mahathir reconsidered and appointed a new chairman for the PAC.

On Sunday, Dr Mahathir said Kiandee would continue as PAC chairman until a suitable replacement is found. – March 26, 2019.