The MP for Beluran, Ronald Kiandee, said today he will remain as chairman of PAC only until a replacement is announced by Prime Minister

Kiandee confirms he will make way for new PAC chairman
Minderjeet Kaur
-March 24, 2019 8:51 PM

Ronald Kiandee. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: The MP for Beluran, Ronald Kiandee, said today he will remain as chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) until a replacement is announced by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He told FMT he would leave the post once a new chairman is proposed at the Dewan Rakyat.

“I will abide by Tun’s (Mahathir) decision,” said Kiandee, a former leader of Sabah Umno who recently joined Mahathir’s party, PPBM.

Mahathir had initially said Kiandee could remain as PAC chairman even though he was no longer in the opposition. Pakatan Harapan has stated that the PAC chairman should be an opposition MP in order to provide a check and balance on the executive.

Earlier today, Mahathir said Kiandee would only stay on as chairman pending a successor being chosen by the Dewan Rakyat.

On Friday, Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar resigned from PAC because of Kiandee being retained as chairman.

Mahathir said today the government would stick to Pakatan Harapan’s election manifesto to appoint an opposition MP to head the committee.