
He was commenting on reports that Beluran MP Ronald Kiandee, who also chairs the PAC, had left Umno to become a PH-aligned independent.
The exodus from Sabah Umno today involved four MPs, nine assemblymen, two senators and 21 division heads. They have pledged support for Pakatan Harapan and the state government.
Ariff said based on the rules, usually the chair of select committees would be a member of the opposition.
“We will have to wait to assess the situation more clearly.
“We have to follow the rules,” he said after a lecture on parliamentary reforms and issues at Parliament today.
Kiandee today announced that he would remain as PAC chairman for now.
He said he would leave it to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to decide whether he should vacate the seat.
The PH manifesto had stated that the PAC must be chaired by a member of the opposition, as part of parliamentary reforms.