Questions arise over Kiandee’s post as PAC chairman

KUALA LUMPUR: The Opposition will propose another of its MPs to replace Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee as Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman even as the Beluran MP said he is leaving his position to the Prime Minister.

This comes after questions arose over Kiandee’s position following his move to jump from Umno to become a Pakatan Harapan-friendly independent lawmaker. He is one of five Sabah Umno MPs who left the party .

Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also the Opposition leader, said a replacement from the bloc would be proposed soon.

“We will identify someone to replace him.

“A notice will be given to the Dewan Rakyat Speaker regarding the position of the PAC chair and we will give suggestions to replace him (Dr Kiandee),” he told reporters at PWTC here yesterday.

Dr Kiandee was appointed the PAC chairman in August, following Pakatan Harapan’s manifesto to name an Opposition MP for the post – as a way of reforming Parliament.

Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was initially the sole name proposed for the post. However, after the Bagan Datuk MP consulted with Barisan Nasional lawmakers, Dr Kiandee – who was the former Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker – was appointed to the chair instead.

In Kota Kinabalu, Dr Kiandee said: “I’ll just leave it to the Prime Minister (Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad) because the appointment comes from him.

“But once the chairman resigns, the PAC cannot hold meetings anymore. I would be doing an injustice to the commitee if I vacate the seat now while Parliament is still in session,” he explained.

Activist lawyer Syahredzan Johan said now that Dr Kiandee had quit Umno and become a “PH/Dr-M supporting independent”, he should also resign from his post as PAC chair.

“He is no longer a member of the opposition; it is untenable for him to remain as chair,” he said.