Azmi to head PAC, Tan to be deputy
The Star (27/5/08): The Dewan approved a motion to appoint Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid as Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman and Dr Tan Seng Giaw (DAP – Kepong) as his deputy.
This means the Opposition failed in its bid to have Dr Tan, a veteran DAP man, to take up the PAC top post.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, who tabled the motion, said it was not wrong for the Government to appoint the former Natural Resources and Environment Minister as the PAC chairman, pointing out that the Opposition had not voiced their concern when former minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad was made the chairman previously.
“More pressure will be on a Barisan Nasional MP than an Opposition member who becomes PAC chairman because his words and actions must reflect fairness to every party dealing with the PAC.
“The Government is also giving its respect to the Opposition by suggesting Kepong as the deputy chairman.
“The question of following the Westminster model in appointing an Opposition MP as PAC chairman does not arise because PAC members can offer check-and-balance to the Government,” he said when winding up the debate on the motion.
The Dewan also approved another motion for proposed seven people to be appointed as members of the Parliamentary Select Committee for the 12th Parliament.
They were Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting (BN – Kulai), Tan Sri Bernard Dompok (BN – Penampang), Lim Kit Siang (DAP – Ipoh Timur), Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam and Opposition Leader Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
Salahuddin Ayub (PAS – Kubang Kerian) said the committee members should be given adequate time, by at least three months, to study and suggest recommendations on bills and regulations.
This means the Opposition failed in its bid to have Dr Tan, a veteran DAP man, to take up the PAC top post.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, who tabled the motion, said it was not wrong for the Government to appoint the former Natural Resources and Environment Minister as the PAC chairman, pointing out that the Opposition had not voiced their concern when former minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad was made the chairman previously.
“More pressure will be on a Barisan Nasional MP than an Opposition member who becomes PAC chairman because his words and actions must reflect fairness to every party dealing with the PAC.
“The Government is also giving its respect to the Opposition by suggesting Kepong as the deputy chairman.
“The question of following the Westminster model in appointing an Opposition MP as PAC chairman does not arise because PAC members can offer check-and-balance to the Government,” he said when winding up the debate on the motion.
The Dewan also approved another motion for proposed seven people to be appointed as members of the Parliamentary Select Committee for the 12th Parliament.
They were Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting (BN – Kulai), Tan Sri Bernard Dompok (BN – Penampang), Lim Kit Siang (DAP – Ipoh Timur), Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam and Opposition Leader Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
Salahuddin Ayub (PAS – Kubang Kerian) said the committee members should be given adequate time, by at least three months, to study and suggest recommendations on bills and regulations.
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