‘PAC PANEL CHAIRMAN ISSUE TO BE RESOLVED SOON’

Current head likely to be replaced by BN Parit Sulong MP Datuk Dr Noraini Ahmad

SEVERAL key policy-related matters were revealed yesterday at Parliament, including additional measures to offset national debts and liabilities.

Also, the controversy surrounding the appointment of a government backbencher as the Public Accounts Committee chairman is likely to be resolved soon, following a proposal to be tabled by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad next week.

He is expected to propose Barisan Nasional’s (BN) Parit Sulong member of parliament Datuk Dr Noraini Ahmad as the replacement for Beluran MP Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee, who recently crossed over to Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) from BN.

“It is scheduled to be tabled on April 11. But the speaker may want to hasten the process and reschedule the items,” said PAC deputy chairman Wong Kah Woh.

The controversy over the bipartisan committee’s chairmanship stemmed from Kiandee’s defection to Bersatu from BN, negating Pakatan Harapan’s manifesto, which said that only opposition members should be appointed as PAC chairman.

Later, at the Parliament lobby, Dr Mahathir said the government was looking into selling off land to reduce debts amounting to RM1 trillion.

Earlier, Dr Mahathir said the national debt had reached a manageable level.

“Firstly, our economy has grown in the last one year, hence our debt has become smaller.

“Secondly, we have recovered a lot of money that was lost, as well as those kept by Singapore.

“Thirdly, we are working hard to reduce the contract value of the East Coast Rail Link because if we don’t continue with the project, we would have to pay a very huge compensation.

“So that is being managed,” he said.

Earlier, Sarawak and Sabah opposition members created a stir following the government’s move to table a bill seeking to amend Clause (2) of Article 1 of the Federal Constitution, which is to specify all the constituent states of the federation by restoring, with modifications, the position of Clause (2) of Article 1 of the Federal Constitution during formation of Malaysia in 1963.

Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), Gabungan Bersatu Sabah (GBS) and BN MPs demanded that the bill, which was tabled by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong for first reading, be scrutinised by the Select Committee.

The opposition claimed that the bill would merely effect a cosmetic change, instead of holistically addressing matters related to the Malaysia Agreement 1963.

“What is there (in the bill)? Nothing,” Santubong MP Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said.

Speaker Datuk Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof told Wan Junaidi that a written request for the bill to be scrutinised by the Select Committee should be submitted.

BN Kinabatangan MP Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin said Wan Junaidi would do so during this session.