Newly-appointed panel members want to look at 1MDB records

Newly-appointed panel members want to look at 1MDB records

Newly-appointed Public Accounts Committee (PAC) member Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan wants to look at 1Malaysia Development Board's (1MDB) previous documents before the committee continues its probe into the matter.

The PAS secretary-general, who replaces Datuk Kamaruddin Jaafar (PKR-Tumpat), said transcripts of the PAC's prior records should rightly be given to new members to enable them to familiarise themselves to the investigations.

"For example, lawyers assigned to a case will usually be given time to review the relevant documents.

"All the documents relating to 1MDB, including the outcome of the MACC's investigations, must be given to us," he said.

Asked if he agreed with the proposed oath of secrecy for members, Takiyuddin said there could be certain matters that should be kept confidential, but not all of it.

He said the PAC must clearly spell out the "dos and don'ts" for members to express their views.

Takiyuddin, who is Kota Baru MP, was one of five MPs appointed to the PAC by the Committee of Selection yesterday, replacing those who had to relinquish the posts during the Cabinet reshuffle in July.

The committee, headed by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, announced that Datuk Dr Makin Mojigoh (BN-Putatan) replaced Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Madius Tangau, Datuk Wira Ahmad Hamzah (BN-Jasin) replaced Tourism and Culture deputy minister Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, while Datuk Nawawi Ahmad (BN-Langkawi) replaced Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican.

Datuk Koh Nai Kwong (BN-Alor Gajah) was appointed to replace Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Chua Tee Yong, who had given up the membership on June 25, 2014.

When approached by reporters at the Parliament lobby, Ahmad said he was still surprised by the appointment.

"This role has been entrusted to me and I will do my best to uphold this responsibility," he said, adding it was an enormous task to shoulder.

Asked on his view that the 1MDB probe should be swiftly concluded, Ahmad said he had "an open mind".

"However, we should not make any pre-judgments before the investigation is concluded," he said, adding that as MPs, PAC members were already bound to a certain degree of confidentiality.

MCA representative Koh said he would do his best to carry out his duties as a PAC member.

Rompin MP Datuk Hasan Arifin was appointed as the chairman of PAC last week, replacing Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed who is now the Deputy Home Minister.

No date has been fixed for the first meeting but Hasan said one would be called soon.

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