PAC chief shouldn't make unilateral decisions - Loke

Transport Minister Anthony Loke has emphasised that the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) must adhere to proper channels when seeking explanations from his ministry, including on the Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd’s (MAHB) share sales.

Stating that neither he nor the ministry is involved in the corporate transaction, Loke said PAC decisions should be made by a committee and not solely its chairperson Mas Ermieyati Samsudin.

"She cannot simply make a statement. PAC is not just one person. Even though she is chairperson, she’s not alone," he told reporters after attending the Paduan Kasih Madani programme and the Transport Ministry’s monthly assembly in Putrajaya today.

Previously, the PAC chairperson reportedly said that the committee has not ruled out summoning several important individuals, including the transport minister, over allegations of an RM500 million loss in MAHB’s share transactions by the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).

Mas said Loke and all related individuals would be called to provide clarifications in stages, with proceedings set to begin next week.

Official request to ministry needed

Loke said PAC has yet to summon him, adding that any requests need to be made officially to the ministry.

"If they want an explanation from us, they must communicate officially with the Transport Ministry.

“We will review the scope and other aspects. If the scope is not under the ministry, we will write to the Dewan Rakyat speaker to state that the matter has nothing to do with the ministry," he said.

Loke pointed out that MAHB is a listed company and not under the Transport Ministry.

“The issue of equity ownership in MAHB by institutions including Khazanah Nasional Bhd and EPF is managed by fund managers of those institutions and, in the case mentioned, it refers to the EPF.

“Hence, if (they) want an explanation, ask EPF, not my ministry," he added.

Aerotrain delay

On the delay of the aerotrain service at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), Loke said the project is under the management of MAHB and not the Transport Ministry.

"I’m also dissatisfied with the delay in the aerotrain project, but this project is not under the ministry’s development fund.

“The funding and contract awarded are under MAHB, and it should be the responsibility of the MAHB board of directors to explain it," he added.

MAHB recently announced that the aerotrain service at KLIA, originally scheduled to resume in January, has been postponed to the second quarter of the year. The service has been out of operation for two years.

- Bernama

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