Pakatan Harapan must hand over the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chief post back to the opposition, stressed the bloc's leader Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

This, he said, was vital as an opposition head of the PAC would serve as a check and balance to the government.

"The PAC chairperson should be from the opposition, not just to continue executive accountability, but also to examine and monitor national finances and ensure transparency and good governance," Ismail Sabri said in a statement today.

The PAC is currently headed by Beluran MP Ronald Kiandee, who yesterday became a member of the government upon joining Bersatu. He had quit Umno in December.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad insists that there is no need for Kiandee to relinquish his post.

However, Ismail Sabri pointed out that both DAP's Hannah Yeoh and PKR's Nurul Izzah Anwar have called for the PAC to be headed by the opposition again.

"Even though Harapan does not fulfil many promises, let this promise for the PAC (to be chaired by the opposition) be fulfilled in line with the government's promise for parliamentary reform," the opposition leader said.

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