NEWLY minted Public Accounts Committee (PAC) deputy chairman Wong Kah Woh wants to reopen the parliamentary watchdog’s investigation into 1Malaysia Development Bhd.

He said the previous PAC was “jaded” and “careless” in executing its duties, so much so that the former chairman did not want to reinvestigate the scandal.

“I will discuss with the PAC chairman and members to reopen the investigation into 1MDB, and for the report to be more comprehensive and complete, considering the latest statements brought up in Parliament,” he told reporters during a press conference today.

Then PAC chairman Hasan Arifin had cleared Najib Razak of any wrongdoing in the 1MDB scandal, despite the former prime minister not being called up in the committee’s investigations.

Wong, who is also Ipoh Timur MP, said PAC must take into account the revelations by the US Department of Justice.

He said the committee’s good image has been tarnished, as its previous report on 1MDB contained irregularities and was “designed to clear” Najib.

“The PAC report on 1MDB that was tabled in Parliament was used by the then government to clear the name and role of the former prime minister, even though there was no clear conclusion.”

He said PAC will also reopen investigations into other controversial scandals that occurred during the previous administration.

“We will give priority to the issues that need to be reviewed. It should not be lopsided. I will give priority to these cases.”

The committee wants to question Najib after former Treasury secretary-general Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah said the former prime minister was responsible for all 1MDB’s major decisions.

Najib, in March, said PAC had cleared him of any involvement in the trouble state investor, including a “donation” received from Saudi Arabia. – August 7, 2018.