Pac Chief Upcoming Hearings Could Summon Top Civil Servants

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Two ongoing inquiries by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) could require the involvement of former top civil servants including a chief secretary to the government.
This according to PAC chairperson Mas Ermieyati Samsudin who also said past chairpersons and past board members could be called up too.
She cited proceedings on the management of expired Covid-19 vaccines, malfunctioning ventilators, excess procurement of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), as well as a separate Minister of Finance Incorporated hearing on Felcra Bhd.
“My previous statement is issued as a reminder to all PAC witnesses, particularly former top civil servants, to always be prepared to attend a proceeding when summoned,” said the Masjid Tanah MP in a statement today.
On Wednesday, Mas Ermieyati (above) said the PAC will name witnesses, especially former top civil servants, who refused to attend its hearings.
In her latest statement, Mas Ermieyati welcomes Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Zuki Ali’s remarks yesterday that all current and former civil servants are always prepared to cooperate with the PAC.
Zuki also confirmed that if serving or retired civil servants fail to attend PAC proceedings when summoned, they would be in contempt of Parliament and would be committing an offence under Section 9 of the Houses of Parliament (Privileges and Powers) Act 1952 (Act 347).
“Actually, PAC does not want to use its powers under the act because it will give a negative image to the named individual, including the possibility of an arrest if they failed to settle the fine.
“However, the PAC will not hesitate to use existing powers to ensure its credibility remains protected,” she stressed.
In the past, Mas Ermieyati noted the PAC summoned various top and retired civil servants, including former prime minister Najib Razak and former treasury secretary-general Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah, both of who appeared for proceedings held in 2018. - Mkini

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