New PAC chief criticises top civil servants for snubbing hearings

Noraini Ahmad, the new chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee, has taken aim at top civil servants for failing to turn up as witnesses at its hearings.

"Since I was appointed as PAC chief on April 11, there have been secretaries-general and department heads who have failed to attend PAC proceedings, even though they were given at least a 10-day notice according to Standing Order 9.

"Instead, they send representatives to attend PAC proceedings," the Umno lawmaker said in a statement today.

More disappointingly, Noraini said, is that these civil servants do not even bother responding to official notices to indicate their absence.

"This attitude clearly disrespects the parliamentary institution as the top legislative body in the country in a parliamentary democracy."

Norani pointed out that government circulars have already outlined that ministry and department heads are accountable to the PAC.

She added that a letter will be delivered to the chief secretary to the government requesting that he reminds secretaries-general to comply with PAC notices.

Noraini said the committee is prepared to grant flexibility if these ministry and department heads are unable to attend on certain dates.