Noh Omar declines PAC appointment

KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor Umno chief Tan Sri Noh Omar has turned down his appointment as a member of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in order to focus on his party.

The Tanjung Karang MP thanked Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for the PAC nomination to represent Barisan, as announced by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun.

"I voluntarily announce my withdrawal as a PAC member effective immediately to give more attention to Selangor Umno," he said in a Facebook post on Wednesday (Nov 4) night.

The senior Umno lawmaker also noted that he had informed the matter to the Barisan chairman and Parliament Speaker through an official notice at 10am on Wednesday (Nov 4).

"May the PAC continue to play its role to ensure the country's financial administration runs smoothly and stays in order," he said.

On Monday (Nov 2), the Parliament Speaker announced that 12 MPs had been appointed as members of the PAC.

The new members announced were Datuk Mohd Fasiah Mohd Fakeh (Bersatu-Sabak Bernam), Yamani Hafez Musa (Bersatu-Sipitang), Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan (BN-Pontian), Tan Sri Noh Omar (BN-Tanjong Karang), Datuk Jalaluddin Alias (BN-Jelebu), Lukanisman Awang Sauni (GPS-Sibuti), Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (PAS-Pasir Mas), Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman (PAS-Sik), Nurul Izzah Anwar (PH-Permatang Pauh), Datuk Dr Mohd Hatta Md Ramli (PH-Lumut), Wong Shu Qi (PH-Kluang) and Ahmad Hassan (Warisan-Papar).

The PAC will be chaired by Wong Kah Woh (PH-Ipoh Timur) with Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun (Bersatu-Beaufort) as deputy chairman, both appointed on Aug 27.

The PAC is an oversight committee that examines the government's financial operations, accounts and funds granted by Parliament.

It also studies the Auditor-General's reports and may also probe troubled government entities, projects and programmes to make recommendations.