PAC TO DECONSTRUCT 1MDB PROBE
THE Public Accounts Committee will reexamine crucial documents, including those not available to it in the past, in efforts to deconstruct its earlier report on 1MDB. It will pore over “possibly new evidence” and recall witnesses, including former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Question: Your vision and mission as the new Public Accounts Committee chairman?
Answer: During our first meeting, I made it clear that all committee members are here as members of parliament, not party representatives. We will then be more detailed and clear as there are no thoughts of revenge or wanting to protect anyone. Our mind is clear in that we are here to carry out proceedings and to investigate the country’s finances. Just like previous chairmen, I want to see PAC become a transparent body under Parliament. That is why I am proposing that we make our proceedings public. However, certain laws need to be looked into and amended to suit current times. I believe the people want to know what PAC is doing, not only on 1Malaysia Development Bhd, although it’s clear that 1MDB is a topic of public interest.
Q: It seems that you have a lot on your plate. How many times has the committee met?
A: PAC has met 11 times since the new members were appointed on Aug 7. The sessions include meetings, briefings and proceedings. We have been very active in carrying out our duties.
Q: There have been a lot of inconsistencies throughout the years on 1MDB and its subsidiaries, as well as companies such as Good Star Ltd. What can we expect from PAC’s handling of the 1MDB case?
A: We will relook at the case as a whole — on what is lacking, what needs to be adjusted, witnesses that needs to called or recalled. There is no timeline when it comes to PAC investigations, so we will take our time to carry out probes into 1MDB in detail. Right now, there is an issue as to whether our investigations will be considered sub judice. We have checked with the Attorney-General’s Chambers (A-GC) and it will guide us. There are A-GC representatives in our committee and they will inform us on what can or cannot be touched on during proceedings. The 1MDB audit report by the National Audit Department is also no longer classified under the Official Secrets Act. Hence, once we are done with our probe, the report will first be presented to Parliament. It will decide whether to publish it. Q: A little brief on PAC’s meeting
with the National Audit Department on Aug 30 and Sept 4?
A: Majority of PAC members are new, including me. Kota Baru MP Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan and Jasin MP Datuk Seri Ahmad Hamzah are the only ones from the (old committee). The briefing was part of an introduction for PAC members on what the department has done on 1MDB. Q: What is the difference between what you were previously informed on 1MDB compared with the latest briefing by the Audit Department?
A: It was definitely more detailed.
As a PAC member, I take it as it is. It is part of the bigger picture because in our minds, we want to investigate and want to know what happened. We asked a lot of questions to the department about the processes, management, operations and external factors, including things that we have not heard before. I have also read the book Billion Dollar
Whale. It is a good read and it is related to what is being investigated by PAC. Meanwhile, the audit report is about the internal accounts and technical side of things. Q: Do you think reading the book and other various sources
on 1MDB would affect your assessment?
A: PAC can read everything, but I assure you that it will not affect, influence or lead to any prejudices in our investigations. PAC is just like the courts — we focus on what is in front of us, the evidence and statements. The books and stories may give us a broader explanation. Q: You have been Beluran MP for four terms under Barisan Nasional. How has it been for you since becoming an opposition MP?
A:
My constituency is having a hard time understanding that we are no longer under the ruling government, so they are still demanding for things that we used to provide, such as transportation and paying their electric and water bills. Some are slowly accepting it, but it is hard as they have been pampered for 18 years. Although the new government has provided about RM100,000 in funds for rural areas under opposition MPs, it is not enough. Beluran is half the size of Selangor, with approximately 23,000 people. Logistics is a major issue for us. Basic facilities, education and infrastructure are much needed. However, I would like to thank the government for providing funds for opposition parliamentarians.