PAC chief wants special session to hear Finance Ministry's feedback

Public Accounts Committee chief Noraini Ahmad (photo, above) said a new practice where the Finance Ministry is required to present its feedback to the panel will be implemented.

She said while the ministry did provide written feedback on the PAC's report, no discussions were held. As a result, the committee's members were not able to gather in-depth information on the feedback.

As such, Noraini said a special session where the Finance Ministry's representatives present their feedback to the PAC will allow the committee's members to ask followup questions.

"Through this meeting, the Finance Ministry which represents the federal government, and is accountable to the PAC, will present its feedback about the action it has taken based on the recommendations of the PAC report.

"The committee, as well as the people, want to know whether genuine action has been taken in response to the PAC's recommendations and whether it (the action) has resulted in a resolution," she said in a statement.

For starters, Noraini said the first meeting will begin on July 16, where the Finance Ministry is asked to present its feedback on the PAC's investigation of and recommendations on the redevelopment of the Bukit Jalil Sports Complex and the management of public marinas.

Noraini said she will discuss with the other PAC members on whether the feedback presented by the ministry should also be tabled in Parliament to allow the information to become public record.

"The ultimate decision lies with Dewan Rakyat speaker Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof, and I will speak to him on the matter," she added.