CHIEF Secretary to the government Mohd Zuki Ali has assured civil servants are always ready to cooperate with the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) when summoned.

In a statement, he said there are mechanisms in place to compel all civil servants and former officials, including chief secretaries and directors-general, to attend PAC proceedings when summoned.

Zuki cited section 9 of the Parliament (Privileges and Powers) Act 1952, which makes it an offence for anyone, including government officials, who do not comply with the PAC’s orders.

He said any refusal by civil servants to comply with the PAC’s orders would be tantamount to disrespecting parliament.

He also cited regulation 77(5) of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament, which gives the PAC the authority to summon anyone before it or order anyone to submit letters, records, or statements to the PAC.

Zuki said the testimonies those who are summoned by the PAC provide are subject to prevailing laws, including the Official Secrets Act 1972, Evidence Act 1950, and Personal Data Protection Act 2010, and will not involve matters currently before the courts.

“For civil servants currently in service, guidelines entitled ‘Providing testimony to the select committees of parliament: Guidelines for civil servants’ was approved by parliament on March 21.”

Zuki’s statement comes after a suggestion from PAC chairman Mas Ermieyati Samsudin for a mechanism to ensure former controlling officers or chief secretaries attend PAC hearings.

Mas Ermieyati said the refusal of former controlling officers or chief secretaries to attend PAC proceedings makes it look like “they have something to hide”.

She threatened to name and shame offenders, including top civil servants, who have refused to attend the PAC hearings.

She said this mechanism is necessary to ensure the public is informed of issues the PAC investigates, as well as if former government officials are non-compliant. – August 17, 2023.