The parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) postponed the first session of its proceedings on the 1MDB scandal yesterday to avoid any sub judice in the ongoing criminal trials involving the state-owned fund.

PAC made the decision after receiving a letter from Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) last Friday, a source told Malaysiakini.

"AGC advised us to postpone our proceedings. It also raised concern that our proceedings could affect the ongoing criminal trials that also involve 1MDB," the source said.

In August, the Dewan Rakyat approved the re-opening of investigations into the 1MDB scandal by PAC and National Audit Department (NAD).

PAC's investigation into 1MDB was slated to begin yesterday, with former auditor-general Ambrin Buang called to testify.

The 1MDB scandal was investigated when NAD was helmed by Ambrin (photo) from February 2006 to February 2017.

Yesterday, PAC issued a notice on the postponement of its 1MDB proceedings, without giving any reason or the next proceeding date.

Malaysiakini has attempted to contact PAC members to confirm the reasons for the proceedings being put off.

The source opined that the proceedings or the sitting of the legislative body on any matter should be independent from court hearings.

"Some of us felt that we could still carry on with 1MDB proceedings but we decided to postpone it.

"However, we will meet with attorney-general Tommy Thomas this week to clarify the legal status of PAC's proceedings into 1MDB," the source added.

Under the previous administration, Dewan Rakyat barred 1MDB issues, particularly those related to the civil suit brought by the US Department of Justice, from being raised in the House, citing sub judice.

This decision caused an uproar from the then opposition and civil society.