A DAP MP has applauded Putrajaya’s decision to declassify the the governance, procurement and finance investigation committee’s (JKSTUPKK) report on the procurement of the six littoral combat ship (LCS) project for the navy.
Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching likened Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s announcement yesterday (Aug 10) to a “slap in the face” to UMNO president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
On Monday (Aug 8) the former defence minister had expressed concerns that any “exposure” of documents related to the LCS project might affect state secrets, and urged the Government to handle the matter wisely rather than be “influenced by public opinion”.
“As rightly pointed out by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairperson Wong Kah Woh, national security should never be used as an excuse to cover up wrongdoings and/or mismanagement,” Teo commented.
In addition to declassifying the reports, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) MACC was also urged to expedite its probe into the matter, and should it find solid evidence of misconduct within the project, the attorney-general will be required to drag all those responsible to court to face the music.
“None of this would be possible without PAC’s thorough investigation and detailed report of the project,” Teo noted.
“The PAC chaired by the opposition is very different compared to PACs chaired by government MPs, and the PAC chairperson is no longer a ‘cari makan’ position as once claimed by former PAC chairperson Datuk Hasan Arifin in 2015.”
It is interesting to note when questioned on why the PAC did not call former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to testify before the committee regarding the infamous 1MDB scandal, Hasan said, “Janganlah, saya pun nak cari makan juga (Don’t do that, I need to earn a living as well).”
Teo said it was no secret that reforms to the PAC could only be carried out after the Pakatan Harapan (Pakatan) government claimed federal power in 2018.
“For the first time in Malaysian history an opposition MP – Ronald Kiandee – was appointed to head the PAC under Pakatan.
“None of this would have been possible without Pakatan’s strong commitment towards strengthening and reforming the PAC.
“Even though the Pakatan government was short-lived, we managed to carry out as many reforms as possible in order for the nation and its people to benefit in the long-term.” – Aug 11, 2022
