PAC’s 1MDB probe suspended until court cases settled — Kiandee

KUALA LUMPUR: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) investigation into 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) has been suspended until all court cases dealing with it are settled, says its chairman Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee.

He said although there was a motion in Parliament to look into the case, PAC proceedings would only resume once the case is completed in court.

“The Dewan Rakyat Speaker has been informed,” he told reporters after chairing a meeting here yesterday.

On Oct 30, Kiandee said the postponement of PAC's proceeding on 1MDB was on the advice of the AG's Chambers.

On Aug 16, Parliament agreed for the PAC and the AuditorGeneral to open a fresh probe into the 1MDB controversy.

“I earlier written a letter to him and replied saying that we must suspend the proceedings sine dine (indefinitely).

“Then we had a meeting to clarify and confirm that there will be no PAC meetings on 1MDB,” he said.

Asked how long will it be postponed, Kiandee said, “depends on the sine dine”

In a separate statement, Kiandee said the PAC had agreed to open a proceeding on the 2016 Audit Report on 1MDB, which was tabled in the Dewan Rakyat.

“PAC also received feedback from the AG's office involving the proceeding, and it does not affect the 1MDB case in court,” said Kiandee.

“In the proceeding, PAC will investigate any claims of tampering on the Audit Report while auditing 1MDB as well revision on the facts and information in the Audit Report which was tabled to the PAC during the 13th session (of Parliament).

“PAC will begin its proceeding on the first week of December this year and will call former auditorgeneral Tan Sri Ambrin Buang as the first witness,” he said.

It is understood that at least five witnesses, including a former aide of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, will be called in to testify in front of the PAC.

On a separate matter, Kiandee said there was no issue about his deputy Wong Kah Woh making statements on behalf of the PAC.

“It is just the gist of the things that we are investigating and it is also an extension of and elaboration about the things I say.

“It comes from me also and I read his statements,” said Kiandee.