Dewan Rakyat speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia has issued a gag order barring members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) from disclosing its proceedings to the media.

This means that the committee’s proceedings would not be made public until it tables its report in Parliament.

pandikar amin mulia ukec student summit In his letter dated June 27, Pandikar said the committee, which scrutinises the use of public funds, is part of Parliament and therefore Parliament has the right to be informed of its findings first.

“If a finding is already revealed to other parties, then it would indirect erode parliament’s rights and privileges,” he said.

Malaysiakini has sighted a copy of the letter from insiders and has been made to understand that the letter was delivered to each PAC member on Oct 2, including PAC chairperson Azmi Khalid.

In the letter, Pandikar said he noticed that PAC members speaking to the press about its proceedings after each meeting.

“As you already know, Standing Order 85 clearly bars any party from issuing any statement given before a parliamentary select committee (PSC) before a report regarding the committee’s investigations is tabled in parliament...

“Therefore to preserve the integrity of the parliament’s rights and privileges, I am of the view that PSC members should not reveal any statement or discussion about issues being investigated or tabled by the committee to others, including in press statements or press releases, or by holding press conferences, until the committee has tabled its report to the parliament,” he said.

He warned that “preventive” measures would be taken against any member who disregards the gag order.

The PAC has previously investigated alleged abuses of public funds, including the Port Klang Free Zone scandal and the NFC scandal.

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