KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 3): The Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Parliament’s watchdog over the government, primarily on how it spends its money, will be tabling six reports in the lower house during the new Parliament sitting that will take place for 18 days from Feb 3 till March 6.
PAC chairperson Datuk Wira Mas Ermieyati Samsudin told The Edge that the reports will cover several high-profile issues, including the multibillion-ringgit multi-lane free-flow toll system (MLFF), the procurement of the Foreign Workers Centralised Management System (FWCMS), and rural water supply problems in East Malaysia.
The three remaining reports are follow-up action reports on the Armed Forces Fund Board, or LTAT — which it had urged in November last year to immediately begin its transformation, warning that a prolonged suspension of LTAT’s activities could lead to asset liquidation — as well as on Mara Incorporated Sdn Bhd (Mara Inc) and National Professors Council.
On Mara Inc, the PAC found that it had overpaid for properties in London and Australia between 2013 and 2014. The assets, acquired for RM151.17 million in total, have since declined in value to RM121.55 million.
As for the National Professors Council, the PAC had flagged several mismanagement issues and recommended that the government reassess the council’s relevance moving forward.
Five new proceedings
The PAC has also scheduled five new proceedings during this sitting, with two key issues expected to draw significant public attention: airport management and rising health insurance costs.
Regarding airport management, the committee will examine the delisting of Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB)(KL:AIRPORT) from Bursa Malaysia, high ticket prices, and delays in the resumption of aerotrain services.
The PAC will also investigate the rising cost of health insurance premiums, private hospital charges, and their impact on public healthcare. This investigation will involve the Ministry of Finance (MOF), the Ministry of Health, and Bank Negara Malaysia.
An open hearing is scheduled for the end of this month, where the committee will invite concerned citizens, private healthcare stakeholders, and insurance companies to share their concerns and insights. This will be followed by close-door proceedings with the relevant stakeholders.
Other PAC proceedings will cover Khazanah Nasional Bhd’s domestic investments, the proposed leasing of electric multiple-unit trains, and land development in Kuala Lumpur.
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