PETALING JAYA: Witnesses who refuse to attend Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearings, especially former high-ranking civil servants, will be publicly named, says its chairman Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin.
She said that many of the PAC proceedings involved witnesses comprising former top government officials, especially control officers and secretaries-general, who were in charge of ministries, departments or government agencies that were mentioned in the Auditor-General’s (A-G) Report.Their presence, she added, is important to ensure that all issues raised in the report are given proper explanation.
She said the PAC was aware that the control officers and secretaries-general mentioned in the A-G Report were unable to provide an explanation for the issues highlighted because they did not occur during their service period.
“Therefore, it is very important for all control officers and secretaries-general to fulfil their responsibilities for the PAC as stated in the Treasury Directive (Amendment 2023) and attend the proceedings when summoned by the committee,” she said.
Mas Ermieyati said their absence would result in a PAC report that is not comprehensive.
“Therefore, this committee will publicly reveal the names of witnesses who refuse to appear in PAC proceedings so that the people know that the issues investigated by the PAC did not get the necessary cooperation from the individuals concerned,” she said.
She said the refusal of former government officials to attend PAC proceedings was an offence under Section 9 (a) of the House of Parliament (Privileges and Powers) Act 1952.
In addition, she said the PAC wants the Chief Secretary to the Government and the Public Service director-general to take note if any former civil servants refuse to attend its proceedings.
She said the PAC urged the government to create a mechanism so that all ex-officers called up would be compelled to present themselves in PAC proceedings.
Mas Ermieyati said it was important for the PAC to prepare a comprehensive and transparent report that takes into account the testimony and explanations of all parties involved in the issue under investigation.
