The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) inquiry into the RM1.6 billion Eurocopter controversy has been postponed to Monday because of the absence of Finance Ministry officials senior enough to clarify the matter.

The inquiry was scheduled to be held today.

azmi khalid 03 "We want the secretary-general of the ministry himself to be present because as the custodian in matters of purchases and finance and so on, it is the responsibility of the finance ministry's secretary-general," PAC chairperson Azmi Khalid told a press conference at the Parliament lobby.

He revealed that the ministry's secretary-general Wan Abdul Aziz Wan Abdullah was only represented by a division secretary during the hour-long meeting at Parliament this morning.

He also said the reasons behind Wan Abdul's absence - that no written notice had been issued for the purpose and that he was "busy with other duties" - were "not convincing."

"PAC regards this as a serious and a high-profile issue that needs to be seen seriously, so we need a senior officer to clarify.

"I hope the parties, especially the secretary-general, will see this is as a serious issues raised by PAC," he added.

Will ministers, deputy ministers be called?

The Padang Besar MP said PAC would meet on Monday and call on technical officers from the Defence Ministry in the morning and then meet with Finance Ministry representatives in the afternoon.

"We hope he (Wan Abdul) will come (on Monday)," said Azmi.

He also said that "nothing substantial" had transpired in the meeting this morning with the Finance Ministry officials.

Asked whether ministers or deputy ministers from either ministries would be called to assist the PAC probe, Azmi said: "For the moment, we don't see any need."

The planned purchase of 12 Eurocopter helicopters to replace the aging fleet of Nuri helicopters has been dogged by allegations relating to the price and tender process.

While the government has denied that any irregularities had occurred, the deal was suspended due to economic circumstances.