Selangor DAP deputy chief Tony Pua today warned that BN would never be able to come close to re-taking Selangor if it continues to refuse doing its duties as the state opposition.

NONE He was referring to BN’s Selangor opposition leader Mohd Shamsuddin Lias ( right ), who refused to take up the position as state Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairperson.

“BN has also rejected the PAC chairpersonship offer in 2008, after initially accepting it then. Being firmly entrenched to the state opposition with fewer numbers for the second term, it is time for them to accept their role and perform their functions.

“There are no more valid excuses that Selangorians can accept in the rejection of the role. In fact, the failure of accepting the role will only permanently cement BN as the opposition in Selangor for the 14th general election,” he said in a press statement today.

The BN, which had ruled Selangor since 1957, was dealt with a shocking blow in 2008 when it was ousted by Pakatan Rakyat, leaving it with only 20 seats in the 56-seat house.

Despite an assault on the state by the party’s national machinery, it suffered heavier losses in the 2013 general election, leaving it with only 12 seats to Pakatan’s 44 seats.

Shamsudin has rejected the position on the basis that the offer was politically motivated and that there were conditions attached, including requiring the BN to allow Pakatan to take up the PAC chairpersonship at the federal level in Parliament.

‘PAC offer is unconditional’

However, Pua, who is also national DAP publicity chief, rubbished the claim, stressing that the position is being offered to BN unconditionally.

“There is no point in the BN opposition making all sorts of wild allegations against the state government when the Pakatan Rakyat is giving the PAC chairpersonship to BN on a silver platter.  

“As the chairperson of the PAC, he will be able to set the agenda for the PAC meetings, review alleged misconduct and controversies, secure all relevant documents and interview any officer involved including state executive councillors,” he said.

It has been the convention in BN-led states for the ruling coalition to hold the PAC chairpersonship. However, Pakatan-led Selangor broke local convention to adopt Commonwealth standards where it is the norm for the opposition to lead the committee.

Pua, who is also Petaling Jaya Utara MP, queried if Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who is also BN chairperson, had blocked his man from accepting the position as it may make him “look bad” in Parliament.

“It appears that Najib will not be able to live down the fact that a Pakatan government accepts a BN PAC chairperson, while he is unable to practise what he preaches in the Parliament,” he said.

In this regard, Pua reiterated Pakatan’s urging to be given the PAC chairpersonship in Parliament to prove Najib’s commitment to combat corruption.

He added that Ministers in the Prime Minister’s Department Idris Jala and Paul Low, who are in charge of the Government Transformation Programme and integrity, should simiarly advocate this to their boss.

“However, regardless of whether the Parliament’s PAC chairpersonship position is offered to Pakatan, Najib must at the very least instruct Mohd Shamsuddin Lias to accept the Selangor state assembly’s PAC chairpersonship, to carry out its role as a responsible opposition in ensuring transparency and accountability,” said Pua.