‘Public should have access to PAC reports’

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad says reports on corruption, especially those from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), should not be kept under the Official Secrets Act (OSA).

He said this in response to the anti-corruption activities undertaken by the previous government, saying that the current administration had discovered clear cases of corruption, and action taken by officers were wrong.

“For example, when three reports were submitted by institutions recognised by the government, the reports stated there was no wrongdoing (committed) by the (former) prime minister.

“If there is no wrongdoing, why was there a need to put (these reports) under the OSA?

“Normally, you cannot hide reports like that, especially PAC reports, (as) the public should know.

“But, again this (the PAC report) was also hidden from the public.

“So that kind of thing cannot be done now,” he said after a meeting with the Special Cabinet Committee on Anti-Corruption.

Dr Mahathir did not reveal the three reports he was referring to.

In May 2016, it was reported that the final audit report on 1Malaysia Development Bhd had been classified under the OSA by the National Security Council.

Dr Mahathir said the government’s level of commitment to address corruption was equivalent to China’s, but stopped short of imposing capital punishment.