Updated 3.50 Opposition veteran leader Lim Kit Siang has issued an ultimatum to Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairperson Azmi Khalid to table the Eurocopter report in the Parliament by next Monday.

helicopter military eurocopter cougor ec 725 troop transporter In a press conference held in Parliament lobby today, Lim (DAP-Ipoh Timur) gave a ‘do-or-die' task to the chairperson in response to Azmi's " public undertaking " yesterday that the report would be ready to be tabled in two or three days.

"I expect the PAC report on the Eurocopter inquiry to be tabled in Parliament by next Monday or Azmi should explain why he has broken his solemn undertaking both inside and outside the House," said Lim.

However, he said that he has "no personal quarrel with Azmi as all I wanted is a PAC which is capable of discharging its mandate to be an effective parliamentary watchdog."

Yesterday, the duo were at each other's throat when Lim stood up in Parliament and accused Azmi for being "irresponsible and unaccountable" chairperson as the report has not been tabled after a week since the "Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Najib Abdul Razak announced in his winding-up speech on Nov 4 that a report would be tabled immediately".

kelau klau dam 070207 azmi khalid Azmi (right) nevertheless explained the matter outside the House and said that he had instructed the committee to speed up the preparation of the report and it has been promised that it will be ready in the next few days.

The report, he added, would be prepared in verbatim format and a summary of the findings would also be included and tabled in Parliament.

Lim "prepared to help"

Emphasising that PAC meetings should reconvene to "get answers to many questions which MPs and Malaysians have", Lim also offered to give all help possible to "ensure there is a thorough and satisfactory inquiry".

anwar ibrahim sodomy allegation saiful bukhari azlan first day in court 070808 lim kit siang 01 "That is why I had made numerous proposals and suggestions about the proper terms of reference for PAC inquiries in my dozen statements on the issue, both in and out of Parliament," he said.

He elaborated that the committee should bring in representatives from aircraft manufacturers that bid to help with its inquiry..

"PAC must have independent and professional advice from people knowledgeable and have working experience in the aviation industry, especially those who know about helicopter operations and the history of Nuri/Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) such as experienced helicopter pilots or ex-pilots," said Lim.

The Eurocopter Cougar EC725 was picked by RMAF to replace its aging Nuri fleet - over contenders Sikorsky S92, Agusta Westland EH-101 Merlin and the Russian-made Mil Mi-17 Hip.