Works Minister S Samy Vellu did not turn up at a scheduled meeting between him and the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) at Parliament House today.

His absence was not altogether unexpected. However, the minister sent a written reply to the PAC after he accused the committee of 'meddling' in his ministry over the compensation to the contractor of the scrapped half-bridge.

PAC chairperson Shahrir Samad (BN-Johor Baru) is tightlipped over the content of Samy Vellu's letter despite being pressed by reporters after a two-and-a-half hour meeting today.

He also refused to comment whether he was satisfied with the works minister's reply, saying that the PAC did not discuss the question of 'satisfaction'.

However, malaysiakini learnt that Samy Vellu, in a one-page letter to Shahrir, has stressed that his ministry was in the midst of evaluating the compensation to the bridge contractor.

Because of this, the letter said it may hinder the work of his officials at the Public Works Department (PWD) if the PAC were to discuss the matter with them now.

Nevertheless, Samy Vellu is said to have expressed his high regard for the PAC and assured his ministry's full cooperation to the committee.

Work will continue

He also concurred with Shahrir that they should not engage in a discussion based on media reports which may result in a war of words later.

The two veteran politicians were at loggerheads after the PAC on June 12 asked the Works Ministry to negotiate with contractor Gerbang Perdana Sdn Bhd to lower the RM100 million compensation.

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

Following that, Shahrir said he would organise a PAC meeting and invite the minister to attend in order to allow him to have a better understanding of the committee's role.

Shahrir told a press conference after today's meeting that the PAC will continue to perform its role as a parliamentary committee to check on government accounts and fund allocations.

Clarifying confusions arising from the controversy, he said PAC is empowered to scrutinise government projects yet to be completed or audited.

"For instance, we were probing the Matrade building and Middle Ring Road 2 projects when they were yet to be completed. We will continue this practice," he said.

He said the committee decided not to consult Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail on the question of PAC's jurisdiction as it felt the committee is under Parliament while the AG is answerable to the government.

Personal matter

To a question, he said Samy Vellu did not touch on the quantum of compensation the government will be paying Gerbang Perdana.

"It is not about the compensation, it is the role of PAC (that we discussed). We received his letter, discussed it and we decided to continue with our job," said Shahrir.

He told reporters to direct the questions of the content of Samy's letter to the minister himself.

As to whether the PAC is empowered to call Samy Vellu, Shahrir said the power has to be enforced according to stipulations in the Standing Orders.

"The question to call an official, a reporter or a minister is important but we also cannot simply do it. If we can meet the officials, then there is no need to call the minister. If we can't then we will have to call the relevant people," he explained.

On the possibility of calling the works minister again, he replied: "It doesn't arise."

"As far as PAC is concerned, we will continue to do our job. The recent controversy is more of a personal matter between me and Samy (Vellu)," he added with a smile.