KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 5): Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairperson Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said the parliamentary committee's proceedings on public airport management are not limited to Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd's (MAHB) (KL:AIRPORT) privatisation deal.
The committee will also address issues such as ticket price increases to Sarawak and Sabah, as well as the delay in the replacement of the aerotrain at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), she said.
"I would like to clarify to (Transport Minister) YB Anthony Loke that the title of the PAC proceedings is 'public airport management', and the Ministry of Transport is a key stakeholder in the management of public airports," Mas Ermieyati said in a statement on Wednesday.
This comes after Loke questioned the PAC's decision to summon him to appear before the committee over allegations of a RM500 million loss in MAHB's share transactions by the Employees Provident Fund.
The minister had said PAC must follow proper channels when seeking explanations from his ministry, and emphasised that neither he nor the ministry is involved in the MAHB corporate exercise.
Mas Ermieyati, in her statement, asked if Loke was unwilling to provide feedback or views to improve the country’s public airport management for inclusion in the PAC report.
"If he refuses, it is his prerogative, but history will record that a Cabinet minister declined to appear before the PAC to offer views and explanations that would benefit the people and the country," she said.
She added that the PAC aims to ensure that the report on this issue is comprehensive, impartial, and serves as a reference for all parties in the best interest of the people and the country.
Mas Ermieyati said that as the PAC chairperson, she adheres to the consensus decisions of all members when deciding to commence proceedings or call witnesses to testify.
She had previously stated that the committee had not ruled out summoning several important individuals, including the transport minister, relating to the alleged RM500 million loss.
Mas Ermieyati said Loke and all related individuals would be called to provide clarifications in stages, with proceedings set to begin in the second week of this month.