Pandikar shoots down 1MDB debate

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia today ruled that the debate on 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) can only proceed if Tony Pua steps down as a member of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

In addition, he said the 1MDB President and Group Executive Director Arul Kanda Kandasamy cannot not appear as a witness before the PAC in its probe into 1MDB if he wants to debate Pua.

"This is necessary to maIntain the transparency of investigation and proceedings conducted by PAC involving 1MDB in line with the rules of the Dewan Rakyat.

"An open debate can adversely affect the PAC investigation proceeding on 1MDB and lead rise to public prejudice on the credibility of the parties involved in the investigation," he said during the Dewan Rakyat sitting today.