Public Accounts Committee chairman Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said some MPs do not bother going through the panel’s reports.

KUALA LUMPUR:

While every MP receives a copy of the Public Accounts Committee’s (PAC) reports when released, not all of them bother reading through the issues raised, says the panel’s chief Mas Ermieyati Samsudin.

Mas Ermieyati said this was why she was grateful for Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul’s move to have the PAC reports debated in the House, reportedly for the first time ever.

She expressed hope that this would change the perception that MPs have about the committee’s reports and that they would study the issues investigated and the findings.

“I have been consistent about this – PAC’s reports need to be debated in the Dewan Rakyat.

“One issue that has arisen is that although (copies of) our reports are placed on the desks of the MPs, some do not read them. In fact, how many elected representatives actually go through the reports?

“It is important for MPs to have a deeper understanding (of the issues) so that they know what has been investigated and what PAC’s findings and recommendations are,” she told FMT.

Last October, Johari said he would ensure that PAC’s report on the much-delayed littoral combat ship project is debated in Parliament.

Mas Ermieyati said the report would likely only be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat during the third meeting of the year, and after the 2025 budget is approved by the lower house.

The Masjid Tanah MP also praised her PAC members for putting aside their party allegiances when carrying out their duties on the committee.

She said although backbenchers outnumber opposition MPs by eight to four on the panel, it has not influenced its decisions or investigations as they serve as a check and balance for Putrajaya.

“When we’re chosen as PAC members, we leave our party hats behind. And as the chairman, I have to be fair in playing my role,” said the Bersatu MP.

Mas Ermieyati’s deputy is Kluang MP Wong Shu Qi of DAP. The other backbenchers in PAC are Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan (DAP), Sandakan MP Vivian Wong (DAP), Tampin MP Isam Isa (Umno), Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin (PKR), Wangsa Maju MP Zahir Hassan (PKR), Betong MP Dr Richard Rapu (GPS), Shah Alam MP Azli Yusof (Amanah) and Kuala Pilah MP Adnan Abu Hassan (Umno).

The opposition members comprise Kubang Pasu MP Ku Abdul Rahman Ku Ismail (Bersatu), Sik MP Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman (PAS), Saratok MP Ali Biju (Bersatu) and Kapar MP Dr Halimah Ali (PAS).

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PAC chief wants MPs to study, debate reports

Mas Ermieyati Samsudin says members of Parliament need to have a deeper understanding of the committee's investigations, findings and recommendations.