Dr M: Kiandee to retain PAC chair until suitable candidate found

KUALA LANGAT: Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee will remain Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman until a suitable candidate has been found, says Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The Prime Minister was responding to a question if Kiandee would be removed following protests by other PAC members of him holding on to the post.

Subang MP Wong Chen disclosed on Saturday (March 23) that PAC members had written to the Prime Minister, recording their dissent about Kiandee remaining in the position.

He had added that the PAC chief should preferably be an Opposition MP.

Kiandee, who is the Beluran MP, was appointed as the PAC chairman last August when he was still in Umno.

However, he jumped ship and joined Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia earlier this month.

Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izah Anwar had also resigned from the PAC committee recently, believed to be in protest of the government's move to take over the PAC chair.

The lawmaker had tweeted on March 15 that the position of the PAC chairman must be filled by the Opposition to pursue accountability of the executive.

Dr Mahathir said consideration to replace Kiandee will be made after a suitable candidate has been found.

He also said it was not legally stipulated who should be the PAC chairman.

"This is not a legal matter and it is a promise made by Pakatan Harapan (to appoint an opposition lawmaker as PAC chief)," said Dr Mahathir.

He added the change can be made anytime.

"We will stick to our promise," Dr Mahathir told reporters after launching the Primary Industries Ministry's Love MY Palm Oil campaign at the Sime Darby Plantations in Carey Island near here.