The allocation amounting to RM47million from Malaysia Totalisator Board (MTB) to the National Academy of Motorsports (NAM) was inappropriate, the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) said today.

"We think that the allocation to NAM for its purpose to train heavy-vehicle drivers was inappropriate," PAC chairperson Shahrir Samad told a press conference after a committee meeting in Parliament this afternoon.

He said the allocation given did not fit into the category of welfare purposes as stated under the law.

"Out of RM47million, RM32 million was approved in July 2003 to build facilities to train heavy-vehicle drivers and RM15 million in Feb 2004 for road safety awareness campaigns.

"The question raised here is whether the RM47 million allocation aligned with MTB's responsibility to allocate on the basis of welfare?" he asked.

Commercial purpose

He said since drivers sent for training at the NAM were charged, so the activities were apparently for a commercial purpose.

He hoped that the Ministry of Finance (MOF) which is overseeing NAM would ensure that the allocation is returned.

"The National Audit Department returned the RM99,000 funding for their family day to MTB after I raised the concern it might be a conflict of interest," he said, adding that the same approach should be applied to NAM.

"We suggested to MOF to make a decision to get the money back or to think further whether (the allocation) was appropriate or not," he added.

On a related development, he said the government should amend the Racing (Totalisator Board) Act 1961 to be in line with current development.

"For example, directors in the board should not be from horse racing clubs anymore as the role of MTB has changed to become a regulator agency to concentrate on equestrian activities," he said.

On the Metramac controversy, Shahrir said the government should open an investigation on the case so all parties involved would have a chance to defend themselves.

Responding to Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail's statement today that he was not in a position to order an investigation, Shahrir said the AG should sit in cabinet so he would be more responsive to issues related to public interest.