No hidden agenda in appointment of PAC men in Cabinet - Ahmad Zahid

The appointment of Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed and three members in the cabinet as announced last July 28 had no hidden agenda, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said they were appointed because of their eligibility.

"The consideration made by the prime minister is that if anyone, regardless of his position, whether in the PAC or other bodies, including GLC (government-linked companies), if he is eligible to be in the cabinet lineup or made an administrative member, then do not see it as having a hidden agenda," he said.

He said this at a media conference after attending the Bagan Datoh UMNO delegates meeting, here Saturday.

Ahmad Zahid said political analysts did not see it as a coincidence, but a plan to remove the four PAC members from the committee following their involvement in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) probe.

He said such a perception arose because PAC was not able to hold its meeting following the recent cabinet reshuffle.

Nur Jazlan was appointed Deputy Home Minister, while the three other PAC members, Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, Datuk Mas Ermieyanti Samsudin and Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau are now Deputy Foreign Minister, Deputy Tourism and Culture Minister, and Minister of Science, Technology and Innovations, respectively.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said PAC should be respected by its members, regardless of the political parties they belonged to.

"I agree with the stand by Dewan Rakyat Speaker who said that PAC could not convene a meeting without a chairman.

"Therefore, wait for a decision by the Speaker for a member of parliament to be appointed as PAC chairman and three others to replace the three who left," he added.

He said all quarters should trust the Dewan Rakyat Speaker to discuss with the prime minister and chairman of the Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club (BNBBC) to decide on the new PAC chairman and three new members.