G25 suggests opening PAC hearings on govt agency finances to the public

PETALING JAYA: G25 says Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meetings into the financial performance of government agencies should be made public.

"This will help the public to be aware of their operations, especially if there are any losses, as the government agencies should give a detailed explanation to the MPs in PAC.

"The Auditor-General is responsible for inspecting how government ministries and agencies spend their budgetary allocations and whether the financial administration complies with the Financial Procedure Act 1957, Treasury Instructions and Treasury Circulars," said the group in a statement on Monday (March 18).

G25 said the PAC meetings to hear the financial administrations in ministries should be made public so that interested groups from civil society and the media could attend to follow the proceedings as observers.

"Parliamentary Select Committees meeting should also be strengthened by making it a practice to invite subject matter experts and professionals from the private sector to give their views and suggestions on matters which require special expertise for explaining.

"Some issues may touch on sensitive matters in our multi-racial and multi-religious society.

"Therefore, if Parliament or a state legislature is considering a sensitive matter like dress code, which touches on the personal lifestyles of the people, there should be prior consultation with relevant groups before bringing the matter up in the legislature," added G25.