PAC to recall witnesses over unresolved queries in airport probe

Summary

• Mas Ermieyati confirms PAC will recall MAHB-related witnesses as testimonies left critical questions unanswered.

• She clarifies PAC findings aren’t final and bars media disclosures under Standing Order 85.

• Statements by PAC’s Sim and Teresa claiming sessions concluded are labelled as personal opinions.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will recall several witnesses, including former independent directors of Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB), as parts of their earlier testimonies on public airports’ management left key questions unanswered.

In a statement today, PAC chairperson Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said the committee has yet to finalise its findings or recommendations on the ongoing proceedings. 

“To date, PAC has held 16 meetings on the matter and will continue by summoning additional witnesses with relevant knowledge or involvement.

“After reviewing the Hansard of testimonies presented so far, the committee found there are still several matters requiring clarification,” she said.

This was in contrast to PAC member Sim Tze Tzin’s reported statement yesterday that Finance Minister II Amir Hamzah Azizan had responded to all questions effectively, allowing the committee to conclude its session and start preparations on the report.

“The proceedings were positive, indicating the government’s openness to address all questions raised by PAC members.

“All witnesses have been called and their testimonies are complete. With that, the session is concluded, and I don’t see any governance issues that require further investigation,” he was quoted as saying by Berita Harian.

The Malay daily also quoted PAC deputy chairperson Teresa Kok as saying that Amir answered all questions posed by the committee clearly and confidently.

No statements on proceedings

Mas Ermieyati today reminded all parties that any findings, discussions or documents tabled during PAC proceedings are bound by Standing Order 85 of the Dewan Rakyat Standing Orders, which prohibits their disclosure to the media.

“No party should be issuing public statements on the proceedings,” she stressed.

“The committee would like to clarify that the statements made by the deputy chairperson (Kok) and PAC member (Sim) were personal views and do not represent the committee as a whole,” she added.

Mas Ermieyati, who is also the Masjid Tanah MP, thanked all witnesses who have so far cooperated with the committee’s investigation into MAHB’s management.

She added that the PAC will convene a separate session to finalise and prepare the committee’s report before tabling it in Parliament.

Previously, the PAC had also called several key figures, including former MAHB CEO Raja Azmi Raja Nazuddin; Hong Leong Investment Bank CEO Lee Jim Leng; Retirement Fund (Incorporated) CEO Nik Amlizan Mahamed; and Permodalan Nasional Berhad president and group CEO Abdul Rahman Ahmad.

Other witnesses included Bursa Malaysia CEO Fad’l Mohamed and Securities Commission executive director Zain Azhari Mazlan, who represented SC chairperson Faiz Azmi.

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