PAC probe to goon
But committee will not touch on Nfcorp’s case in court
THE Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will continue probing the National Feedlot Corporation (Nfcorp) controversy but will not touch on matters involving the case in court.
PAC chairman Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid said this following a ruling by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia that PAC could not touch on issues concerning the court case.
“We will investigate how government funds are used, how it was approved and problems that arose from the scandal,” he told reporters after chairing the PAC meeting at Parliament House.
Azmi said PAC had requested for documents pertaining to loan agreement from the Finance Ministry, while it sought the implementation and land agreements from the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry.
On the Nfcorp representatives refusing to answer questions by PAC, Azmi said PAC respected their right not to answer questions which might be prejudicial.
On whether PAC will question top officials from Nfcorp, Azmi said this would be decided after the documents were studied.
He said that even though PAC did not have any specific executive power, the integrity of the committee must be preserved.
On Tuesday, Nfcorp top executives failed to turn up at the PAC hearing, cutting short the meeting.
Nfcorp sent only its group administration manager and two lawyers, who said they would not be taking questions.
Meanwhile, Pandikar Amin ruled that the formation of a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to examine the Lynas rare earth plant is not sub judice in nature.
“Based on my interpretation, the formation of the PSC is allowed. However, it must not discuss issues that are sub judice until the matter has been decided by the court,” he said in response to Datuk Kamarudin Jaffar (Pas-tumpat), who wanted to know if PSC was sub judice as there was a court case against Lynas.
Pandikar Amin said he had received a notice from the Government and the Independent MPS naming their representatives to PSC.
“At the moment, there are only five names, and MPS from PKR and DAP have not submitted any name. I believe this is their political stand and it is not because the committee is sub judice,” the Speaker said.
Meanwhile, MCA Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong slammed Pakatan Rakyat for walking out of the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday after the House endorsed the formation of the PSC on Lynas.
“I am saddened that my fellow Parliamentarians have once again resorted to their typical walkouts despite the debates that were still ongoing in the Dewan,” said Dr Wee.
“The only difference is that this was done after a vote was taken,” he added.
Dr Wee, who is also Deputy Education Minister, said that instead of reflecting the views of the people who made them lawmakers, Pakatan repaid their constituents’ trust by staging walkouts.