IPOH: The Perak Public Accounts Committee (PAC) should conduct a closed-door inquiry into the financial records of Mentri Besar Incorporated (MB Inc) instead of a public hearing, says state Umno chairman Datuk Saarani Mohamad (pic).
Saarani, who is also Kota Tampan assemblyman, said this in response to a letter signed by state PAC chairman Leong Cheok Keng calling upon former mentri besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir as the main witness at a public hearing on Nov 26.
"This is an act against the norms of democracy," said Saarani at a press conference on Saturday (Nov 24).
Calling the decision ultra vires (beyond the authority), Saarani said that the letter also did not state a specific reason for calling up Dr Zambry.
He also added that if PAC decided to pursue an open proceeding, it would be a form of power abuse.
"In the letter, they also requested Dr Zambry to bring MB Inc's audit reports and other related documents.
"As a former mentri besar, Dr Zambry doesn't have any executive power anymore. If he is found with those documents, he could be prosecuted under the Official Secrets Act (OSA).
"Dr Zambry will come on Nov 26, but not for a public hearing," he said, adding that the state government should also practise good governance.
On Nov 21, Leong said six of seven PAC members who attended the Nov 15 meeting decided that Dr Zambry and former MB Inc CEO Datuk Aminuddin Hashim should attend the hearing.
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