Nga: Why did Zahid turn down PAC role?
IP OH: Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Nga Kor Ming yesterday expressed his disappointment over opposition leader Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s decision to turn down the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman’s position.
“I have no idea why he refused to take up the position.
“A PAC chairman is a prestigious position and the only person who has the right to summon anyone (to be present) in a PAC meeting.
“It is also the only position which has the right to call witnesses, including the prime minister and inspector-general of police, to give a statement at the PAC meeting.
“I feel disappointed. Why (did) he refuse this position? It plays an important role in checks and balances.
“Let the people judge. What is he afraid of?” asked Nga, who is Perak DAP chairman, after attending the 14th state legislative assembly at Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan here.
Nga reminded Perak state assembly Speaker Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham to be strict in assembly meetings so that opposition members would not take advantage of his good nature.
“He is too kind, which resulted in some opposition members taking advantage and misusing the time allocated to them. It was clearly shown that they (opposition assemblymen) did not want to ask questions but rather made a fuss.
“It took about 40 minutes just to answer one question. This shows that they are not fulfilling their promise to be a constructive opposition.
“Ngeh is trying to accommodate both the reasonable and unreasonable requests made by the opposition.”