I’m not bothered by resignations, says Dr M

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad isn’t bothered by the resignations of opposition members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), saying that is their prerogative.

“It’s fine. If they want to resign, go ahead. That’s their business.

“I’m disappointed by these people,” he said after delivering a special address during a meeting with Kedah civil servants at Wisma Darul Aman in Alor Star, Kedah, yesterday.

Dr Mahathir was commenting on the resignations of Barisan Nasional and Pas lawmakers from the PAC committee in protest over the status of Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee’s position as chairman.

Their resignations took place after Permatang Pauh member of parliament Nurul Izzah Anwar quit the committee.

On Nurul Izzah’s disappointment with the Pakatan Harapan (PH) leadership, the prime minister said many people were disappointed.

“It’s alright. Many people are disappointed too.

“I’m also disappointed with them.”

Kluang MP Wong Shu Qi, who is among the members of the committee, was cynical when asked to comment on the resignations of the opposition MPs.

“I ‘appreciate’ that they (BN MPs) did not carry out the reform when they were in the government.

“However, they have agreed with the reform effort that the PH federal government wanted to push for,” she said at the Parliament lobby here.

She said members of the PAC must operate in a non-partisan nature within the committee system.

“Both government and opposition have a common goal, which is to create a strong institution to provide checks and balances against the government,” she said.

Kiandee could not be reached for comment.