The empty seats in the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) need to be filled immediately so it can continue its probe on 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

UMNO deputy president, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said it is extremely regrettable if the probe is abandoned, just because several committee members were given ministerial positions following the recent Cabinet reshuffle.

“The public is awaiting the Auditor-General's report on 1MDB. The preliminary report had already been given to the PAC but now the committee's investigation is halted.

“To me, the development of the investigation and prosecution of the 1MDB scandal is very disappointing.

“At one point, the government seemed serious in wanting to resolve the crisis, but then the development process slowed down and almost stopped altogether,” he said in a statement Wednesday.

PAC members affected by the Cabinet reshuffle last July were Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed, who was committee chairman; Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, Datuk Mas Ermieyanti Samsudin and Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau.

They are now Deputy Home Minister; Deputy Foreign Minister; Deputy Tourism and Culture Minister’ and Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, respectively.

Meanwhile, Muhyiddin also expressed his concern on several enforcement authorities taking legal action against those who lodge reports on 1MDB.

“It is as though there are ‘hidden hands’ that want to cover the mistakes of certain parties. This is truly unacceptable.

“The latest incident was the arrest of Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 or SOSMA, just because he lodged reports with foreign authorities concerning 1MDB transactions.

"As I recall, SOSMA is a law passed by our Parliament to curb acts of violence or terrorism,” he said.

Muhyiddin questioned how lodging reports with foreign agencies on corporate companies are deemed as terrorism.

“Has 1MDB become an institution so invincible and highly protected by the country’s authorities?

“I don’t think so. Lodging reports against 1MDB is not an act of terror, and 1MDB is not untouchable. 1MDB is an entity subjected to the country’s laws,” he said.

If anything, said Muhyiddin, those who report on alleged wrongdoings in 1MDB should instead be given protection.

Malaysia is a country backboned by the constitution and rule of law, and the authorities’ failure to uphold this in solving the 1MDB crisis will not only erode public confidence but tarnish Malaysia’s good name globally, he added.