THE newly appointed chairman and vice-chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) have asked for Standing Order 85 of the Dewan Rakyat to be amended to allow PAC proceedings to be open to the public. 

Chairman Mas Ermieyati Samsuddin and vice-chairman Wong Shu Qi urged Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul, who is chairman of the Standing Orders Committee, to make the amendment. 

“We believe PAC hearings should be conducted openly to ensure all proceedings are held in a transparent manner with accountability and credibility, in line with the institutional reform agenda, which is the main focus of the current government,” they said in a joint statement today. 

They said their first task is to visit the Boustead Heavy Industries Corp shipyard in Lumut, Perak, to observe the progress of the navy’s littoral combat ship project, which must be reported to the PAC on a quarterly basis.

Mas Ermieyati and Wong are also to meet with PAC ex-officio members from the Finance Ministry, Economy Ministry, Attorney-General’s Chambers, Public Service Department, National Audit Department, Accountant-General’s Department and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to discuss the committee’s direction and related matters.

The appointments of Masjid Tanah MP Mas Ermieyati and Kluang MP Wong to the PAC were approved by the Dewan Rakyat today.

The motion for their appointments was tabled by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

“We believe transparency and accountability are important for building public trust and ensuring the current government fulfils the needs of the people.

“In implementing the responsibility and mandate given, we hope to cooperate with PAC members who will be appointed,” they said, thanking Anwar for their appointments.

They urged parliament’s Selection Committee to quickly appoint the other 12 PAC members – comprising eight government and four opposition MPs – so the committee can perform its duty in ensuring public funds are used prudently. – Bernama, April 4, 2023.