A NEW Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman will be appointed once cases being heard are disposed of, said Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Nga Kor Ming today.

In the meantime, current PAC chief Ronald Kiandee will continue leading the panel in completing its work.

“In view of the fact that there are many cases being heard by PAC, I think – as do the speaker’s office and government – that we will find a better time to pick a new chairman, as what the prime minister has said,” Nga told reporters at the Parliament lobby.

“There are ongoing cases… I think these need to have closure, so let these cases go through their hearing and be completed first.”

He did not give a time frame for when the new PAC chief will be appointed, but said: “The prime minister has said it will be done soon. I am confident Pakatan Harapan will keep to its manifesto promise.

“It must be noted that when Kiandee was appointed, it was on the principle that he was a member of the opposition.

“The issue arises now because he has joined a government party.”

Kiandee quit Umno last December and joined Bersatu earlier this month.

Prime Minister and Bersatu chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad has said Kiandee can remain as PAC chairman, and that PH did not break its promise as the Beluran MP was in the opposition when he took up the post.

The issue led to Nurul Izzah Anwar quitting PAC on Friday, and other PH lawmakers in the committee writing a letter to the prime minister, expressing their unhappiness over Kiandee keeping the post.

Over the weekend, Dr Mahathir said a new PAC chief will be considered.

The committee is holding hearings on the Vehicle Entry Permit system between Johor and Singapore, and has summoned former transport minister Liow Tiong Lai.

It is also investigating claims by the Finance Ministry on RM19.4 billion in “missing” funds meant for goods and services tax credit returns.

PAC recently completed its hearing on nearly a dozen marina projects, worth RM323.5 million, and will issue a report soon.

Earlier today, Lim Lip Eng (DAP-Kepong) proposed the tabling of a motion on the appointment of a new PAC chairman.

He was seconded by Ahmad Maslan (BN-Pontian).

However, Speaker Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof said the matter will be discussed separately. – March 25, 2019.