PAC chairperson backs proposed oath of secrecy
Public Accounts Committee (PAC) new chairperson Hasan Arifin today expressed support for the proposal by Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for all members of the PAC to take the oath of secrecy.
Hasan, who is also Rompin MP, said it was however up to Dewan Rakyat speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia to determine whether all the PAC members should take the oath of secrecy or not.
"As the PAC chairperson, I leave it to the power and discretion of Pandikar Amin in this matter based on the powers given to him as Dewan Rakyat speaker," he said in a statement in Kuala Lumpur.
He was commenting on the statement by Zahid ( photo ), who is also the BN whip in Parliament, suggesting that at all PAC members take the oath of secrecy to ensure confidentiality of information and the PAC's investigation documents.
The deputy prime minister had reportedly said that the oath of secrecy was aimed at preventing leakage of information and investigation documents, as well as discussions at the PAC meetings.
Hasan said the PAC would always be open to suggestions from the public and groups including political parties for the purpose of enhancing the committee.
He said the tasks and responsibilities of the PAC were bound by Parliament's Standing Orders and it was incumbent on all the committee members to adhere to the orders and be responsible towards Parliament.
Hasan said it was also clearly stated that all evidence brought before the PAC must first be tabled to the Dewan Rakyat before it became public document.
- Bernama
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