The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is hoping Works Minister S Samy Vellu will turn up for a scheduled meeting next week as it will allow the senior minister to better understand the role of the committee.

A formal invitation will be sent to Samy Vellu following his outburst against the PAC for "meddling" in his ministry and constantly calling ministry officers to attend its meetings.

"I will be sending him a letter today to invite him to come for the meeting next Thursday," said PAC chair Shahrir Samad, who is also the Johor Baru MP, when contacted today.

"This is not an ordinary PAC monthly meeting but a special meeting with him to let us know what he thinks is wrong with the PAC. We'll let him know our jobs too," he said.

As it is not an official meeting called by the PAC, Shahrir said he was uncertain whether Samy Vellu could be subject to action under Parliament's Standing Orders if he fails to turn up.

The PAC, as a parliamentary committee to check on government accounts and fund allocations, is empowered to call witnesses under the Standing Orders.

Those who fails to turn up, could be cited for contempt of parliament.

'Not stupid'

Samy Vellu had challenged the PAC and Shahrir to cite him for contempt of Parliament, insisting that he would not turn up for the meeting next week and was ready to face to any kind of action.

Shahrir declined to comment on Samy Vellu's statement - including the remark that the PAC meeting would be 'wasting precious time' - on the grounds that the PAC does not act on media reports.

Samy Vellu's remarks were prompted by PAC's call to the his ministry to seek negotiations with Gerbang Perdana Sdn Bhd to reduce the RM100 million compensation the government has to pay the former.

Gerbang Perdana, the contractor for the half-bridge in Johor, is entitled to the compensation after the government decided to cancel the controversial project, citing legal issues.

PAC has countered that since the contractor will be awarded a RM470 million flyover and roads project without an open tender, the compensation for the scrapped bridge should be lowered.

Unhappy with PAC's call, Samy Vellu said his ministry knew how to evaluate the compensation request and that it was "not as stupid as they (PAC) think".

He added that he would ask the ministry's director-general to give written answers to questions from PAC in future.

The PAC is also putting the Kuala Lumpur-Putrajaya highway project and the delay in completing the Matrade building under its scrutiny. Both issues are linked to Samy Vellu's ministry.

Be more aggressive, PAC told

Meanwhile, Parliamentary Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang said Samy's outburst was uncalled for and typical of the 'third world' mentality of ministers who are uncomfortable being put under scrutiny.

In a statement today, Lim said Samy Vellu should be censured, particularly when the latter equated PAC meetings as "a waste of time".

"Samy Vellu is particularly annoyed that the PAC and Shahrir are continuously questioning the crooked half-bridge project," opined the veteran opposition politician.

Lim said the senior minister should be hauled up before the Privileges Committee if he "obstructs and sabotages" the PAC from discharging its duties and responsibilities.

The opposition leader also wanted the PAC to be more aggressive in getting to the bottom of the half-bridge issue specifically why the decision to scrap the bridge may now cost more than building it.

The cancellation of the project could cost the government about RM1.12 billion compared to its original construction cost of RM1.113 billion (see chart).