Appointment of PAC, Select Committee on Oct 19 - Azalina

The appointment of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman and its members will be done during the next parliament session in October, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman.

However, she said the appointment will only be made after the Select Committee members, who are responsible for appointing the PAC members, are replaced and appointed on the first day of the parliament session on October 19.

"The government could not afford to rush into appointing the PAC members as it is an important committee," said Azalina in a statement on Wednesday.

Azalina also said that the PAC can continue with all the tasks entrusted including the investigation into 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

"The decision was made after taking into account the change in the Opposition leader and the Cabinet reshuffle on July 29," said the Pengerang MP.

She said that the government would have to consider several key factors including the new names proposed to replace some Select Committee members.

She said the Select Committee members will consist of Barisan Nasional (BN) members of parliament (MPs) and those from the Opposition.

For the Opposition, Azalina said there is a possibility that new names will be proposed by PAS following their fallout with DAP and PKR.

She said the new Opposition leader will also be replaced with Permatang Pauh MP, Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

The PAC is now left with just nine members, after four others including its chairman, were appointed as Cabinet members on July 29.

"I stress that the Government has no intention of deliberately delaying the probe. The probe will continue after the posts are filled," she said.

Azalina added that PAC will be able to resume the probe after the Attorney-General's report on its 1MDB investigations is scrutinised by the committee.