Are hidden hands holding back PAC probes?
S PathmawathyPublished: Apr 10, 2012 9:34 AM | Updated: Apr 10, 2012 9:40 AM
Is political interference the reason why parliamentary inquiries have been “halted” in relation to the National Feedlot Centre project, and the highly secretive out-of-court settlement between former Malaysia Airlines boss Tajudin Ramli and Pengurusan Danaharta Bhd?
Is political interference the reason why parliamentary inquiries have been “halted” in relation to the National Feedlot Centre project, and the highly secretive out-of-court settlement between former Malaysia Airlines boss Tajudin Ramli and Pengurusan Danaharta Bhd?
Opposition representatives in the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) have posed this possibility, based on their suspicion of “a cover up of the highest order" in suppressing investigations into these scandals.
The DAP’s Petaling Jaya MP Tony Pua pointed out that the committee has not called for a meeting since it last met two weeks ago.
"I contacted the chairperson and the secretariat to ask to continue the meetings but I’ve heard nothing from them,” he told a press conference at the Parliament lobby today.
The PAC was also to probe 1Malaysia Development Bhd's ‘dubious’ investment in PetroSaudi International; and the massive construction cost of Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 which escalated from RM1.7 billion to RM3.9 billion.
"While we have deliberated on the issues involving the cattle-rearing project, the PAC has yet to start its probe into the other matters," Pua said.
He hinted that the committee's progress is being restricted due to widening speculation that a general election could be held soon.
The National Feedlot Corporation (NFC), which had been awarded the cattle-rearing project, was accused of misusing a RM250 million government soft loan for expenses unrelated to the core business.
After months of continuous pressure, NFC chairperson Mohamad Salleh Ismail has been charged with two counts of criminal breach of trust and another two counts of violating the Companies Act 1965. He has claimed trial.
However, matters took a strange twist when Dewan Rakyat speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia "advised" against PAC continuing its inquiry into cases that are in court, including NFC and other suits linked to Tajudin.
BN lawmakers are also opposed to having the two issues discussed further, saying this could amount to subjudice.
Pua reiterated today that PAC's probe into NFC is not subjudice, as the committee would only question government agencies - for instance, the Agriculture and Agro-Based Ministry and the Finance Ministry - over the disbursement of funds to the company.
‘PAC may meet next week’
PAC deputy chairperson Tan Seng Giaw pointed out that the committee is tasked with completing its investigations.
“Much abuse has (allegedly) taken place involving millions (of ringgit). As long as Parliament is not dissolved, we must continue our work,” said the DAP’s Kepong MP.
PKR parliamentarians Kamarudin Bahrin Abas (Teluk Kemang) and William Leong (Selayang) also expressed disappointment, saying it is Parliament's duty to monitor the governance of public funds.
"I’m disappointed. It's worrying because we are the body entrusted with monitoring (the use of) funds (approved) by the Dewan Rakyat," said Kamarudin.
PAC chairperson Azmi Khalid, in an email reply to Malaysiakini, said that although the committee is not "complete barred" from investigating the problems, Pandikar's advice on the matter has to be taken into account.
The PAC has yet to decide on a date for further hearings, he wrote, and it has not decided that the cases will be entirely dropped.
While the committee has agreed on visiting the cattle-rearing project site in Gemas, Negri Sembilan, a date has not been fixed, Azmi said.
There is likelihood that the committee will convene next week, before the end of the current sitting of Parliament, he added.
Opposition representatives in the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) have posed this possibility, based on their suspicion of “a cover up of the highest order" in suppressing investigations into these scandals.
The DAP’s Petaling Jaya MP Tony Pua pointed out that the committee has not called for a meeting since it last met two weeks ago."I contacted the chairperson and the secretariat to ask to continue the meetings but I’ve heard nothing from them,” he told a press conference at the Parliament lobby today.
The PAC was also to probe 1Malaysia Development Bhd's ‘dubious’ investment in PetroSaudi International; and the massive construction cost of Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 which escalated from RM1.7 billion to RM3.9 billion.
"While we have deliberated on the issues involving the cattle-rearing project, the PAC has yet to start its probe into the other matters," Pua said.
He hinted that the committee's progress is being restricted due to widening speculation that a general election could be held soon.
The National Feedlot Corporation (NFC), which had been awarded the cattle-rearing project, was accused of misusing a RM250 million government soft loan for expenses unrelated to the core business.After months of continuous pressure, NFC chairperson Mohamad Salleh Ismail has been charged with two counts of criminal breach of trust and another two counts of violating the Companies Act 1965. He has claimed trial.
However, matters took a strange twist when Dewan Rakyat speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia "advised" against PAC continuing its inquiry into cases that are in court, including NFC and other suits linked to Tajudin.
BN lawmakers are also opposed to having the two issues discussed further, saying this could amount to subjudice.
Pua reiterated today that PAC's probe into NFC is not subjudice, as the committee would only question government agencies - for instance, the Agriculture and Agro-Based Ministry and the Finance Ministry - over the disbursement of funds to the company.
‘PAC may meet next week’
PAC deputy chairperson Tan Seng Giaw pointed out that the committee is tasked with completing its investigations.
“Much abuse has (allegedly) taken place involving millions (of ringgit). As long as Parliament is not dissolved, we must continue our work,” said the DAP’s Kepong MP.
PKR parliamentarians Kamarudin Bahrin Abas (Teluk Kemang) and William Leong (Selayang) also expressed disappointment, saying it is Parliament's duty to monitor the governance of public funds.
"I’m disappointed. It's worrying because we are the body entrusted with monitoring (the use of) funds (approved) by the Dewan Rakyat," said Kamarudin.
PAC chairperson Azmi Khalid, in an email reply to Malaysiakini, said that although the committee is not "complete barred" from investigating the problems, Pandikar's advice on the matter has to be taken into account.The PAC has yet to decide on a date for further hearings, he wrote, and it has not decided that the cases will be entirely dropped.
While the committee has agreed on visiting the cattle-rearing project site in Gemas, Negri Sembilan, a date has not been fixed, Azmi said.
There is likelihood that the committee will convene next week, before the end of the current sitting of Parliament, he added.
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