Special parliament sitting must be called to appoint new PAC chief, members - Shahrir

The Barisan Nasional Back Benchers Club (BNBBC) Saturday called on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to table a motion to hold a special parliamentary sitting soon to appoint suitable candidates to fill vacant posts, including as the new chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

BNBBC chairman Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad said the vacancies should be filled as soon a possible to enable the PAC to carry out its duties, including the pending investigation on the issues related to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

"This is the consensus of the BNBBC members because we all are members of Parliament and we know the importance of the institution.

"I have conveyed (the decision) to the prime minister and he had agreed that we will have a one-day meeting. Then, we will vote to elect the new PAC chairman."

He said this to reporters after opening the Segamat UMNO Youth delegates meeting in Kampung Bukit Tungal community hall here.

In the cabinet reshuffle announced by Najib on July 28, four PAC members, including its chairman, Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed, had been appointed as members of the new cabinet line-up.

Nur Jazlan was appointed as Deputy Home Minister; Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican as Deputy Foreign Minister; Datuk Mas Ermieyanti Samsudin as Deputy Tourism and Culture Minister; and Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau as Science, Technology and Innovation Minister.

Shahrir said if the special sitting could not be held, the prime minister could still table a motion for the appointment of PAC members at the next Parliament sitting in October.