An anti-corruption NGO has called for the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to be strengthened by giving it staff, resources and better pay.

The group Centre to Combat Corruption & Cronyism (C4) said that currently, the PAC has no support staff to assist with its work and given only RM200 allowance for attending meetings.

“A meagre RM200 allowance to attend meetings and crack the whip on public spending must surely suggest that the executive displays utter disregard and places little importance to an institution as important as this,” said C4 executive director Cynthia Gabriel ( right ) in a statement today.

She also called for PAC’s inquiries to be conducted in the open, thus allowing greater citizen participation and to sensitize citizens to issues related to public spending.

The PAC is a bipartisan parliamentary select committee set up to scrutinise public spending. It is headed by Pulai MP Nur Jazlan Mohamed from Umno, while DAP’s Kepong MP Dr Tan Seng Giaw is the deputy chairperson.

Its 11 other members are comprised of parliamentarians from both BN and Pakatan Rakyat, including Selayang MP William Leong (PKR), Kepala Batas MP Reezal Merican Naina Merican (Umno), and Simpang Renggam MP Liang Teck Meng (Gerakan).

PAC's work include conducting follow up investigations on discrepancies highlighted by the auditor-general’s report and making recommendations based on its findings, and publishing a report card on whether its recommendations have been acted on by the government.

Lack of follow-up action

Cynthia lauded the PAC’s report for highlighting the failures in delivering public services, but slammed the lack of follow-up action.

“So who is to blame for such shoddy performance, and notoriety of the public sector?

“PAC has repeated the unending calls of concerned citizens, and demanded answers as to why no action has been taken against civil servants who have embezzled public funds, distorted allocations and caused unreasonable delays in providing services,” she said.

She urged Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Paul Low ( right ) to follow through the PAC and auditor-general’s reports by making periodic public reports on cabinet meetings.

She said the minister’s previous statement that the PAC’s findings would be brought to the cabinet “bears little assurance” until the leakages are addressed properly, including through naming and shaming those responsible.