RONALD Kiandee today defended the integrity of the Public Accounts Committee, insisting its hearings were neither unfair nor biased, following the resignation of members from the opposition.

“Why question if it’s unfair? A meeting (of the PAC) only needs a quorum of the chairman plus three members. We never have a full quorum anyway,” Kiandee said in the Parliament lobby today, when asked if the PAC was able to conduct hearings objectively now that three of its members from BN and PAS have quit. 

Kiandee has controversially remained chairman of the parliamentary committee even after quitting Umno and joining government party, Bersatu. Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has, however, said that a replacement will be found to chair the PAC.

The Pakatan Harapan government is facing criticism, from within as well as from the opposition, for leaving Kiandee at the helm, leading Dr Mahathir to announce that Kiandee will be replaced in a due time.

The ruling government had promised in its election manifesto to appoint a PAC chief from the opposition. It kept the promise with the appointment of Kiandee, then with Umno, to the PAC chair in  August, but Kiandee was allowed to keep the chair even after joining Bersatu, with Dr Mahathir saying he would remain there.

PKR lawmaker Nurul Izzah Anwar was the first to quit the PAC over the matter, announcing her decision last Friday.

On Monday, she was followed by three PAC members from the opposition, Barisan Nasional’s Parit Sulong MP Noraini Ahmad and Jasin MP Ahmad Hamzah, as well as PAS’ Takiyuddin Hassan.

This leaves the PAC with nine members, only one of which is from the opposition Betong MP Robert Lawson Chuat from Gabungan Parti Sarawak.

The opposition is demanding Kiandee’s resignation.

Asked if he should resign, Kiandee said the issue did not arise as Dr Mahathir has said that a new chairman would be found.

“Be fair to the government, the decision has already been made by the PM that I will be replaced when another person is identified.

“Be fair to me, I have said many times that I will abide by the PM’s decision. I’ll be replaced once a new chairman is identified,” he said.

Until then, Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Nga Kor Ming said Kiandee would continue to chair hearings on current cases under investigation.

Kiandee said the committee was preparing to close its probe into missing goods and services tax refunds and into contract awards for the vehicle entry permitsystem.

Kiandee added the PAC had yet to receive a copy of the resignation letters of Noraini, Ahmad and Takiyuddin.

“If they have sent it to the (Dewan Rakyat) Speaker, we would have been given a copy, but until now, we haven’t received any. As for Nurul Izzah’s (letter), we have received it.” – March 27, 2019.