PAC to call in 1MDB top executives
> List of witnesses also includes Jho Low
KUALA LUMPUR: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will be calling past and present 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) top executives as key witnesses to continue its probe into the company.
Newly appointed PAC chairman Datuk Hasan Arifin (BN-Rompin) said they include 1MDB president Arul Kanda Kandasamy and former president Datuk Shahrol Halmi.
“We will continue the proceedings by first calling those who have been listed, such as Arul Kanda and Shahrol,” Hasan said after chairing his first PAC meeting yesterday.
Others on the list include Tadmax Resources chairman Abdul Azmin Zabidi and 1MDB-linked businessman Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low.
Although hearing dates have not been determined, Hasan said these witnesses would be informed of them as soon as possible so that the probe can resume, but he added that Low is not an immediate concern yet.
On PAC member Tony Pua’s (DAPPetaling Jaya Utara) live-talk-show challenge against Arul Kanda, Hasan said it is entirely up to Pua if he wants to participate or not.
He also said the public sparring match between the two will not affect the PAC’s credibility and that it is not for him to judge Pua’s decision.
“I cannot say whether he is allowed or not allowed, it is up to him to decide. No, I don’t think so (that it will affect the PAC’s credibility), he (Pua) should know himself what is his position,” Hasan said.
On another issue, he said it is unnecessary for PAC members to take an oath of secrecy as suggested by Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi recently.
Hasan said this is because as MPs they have already taken parliamentary oaths and PAC is a body under the Dewan Rakyat.
Lastly, he said new PAC members have been briefed about the Committee’s role, the Auditor-General’s (AG) interim report on 1MDB, and other issues.
Hasan added that the final AG report will be ready at the end of the year, and the PAC will once again request the necessary documents from 1MDB.