No witch hunt, please
While the focus has been on recent revelations that Balkis members went on a holiday to Disneyland in Tokyo and then to Hongkong and Seoul, there’s a far more important issue – the transfer of almost RM10 million from its accounts on the eve of the general election.
The Sun
THE hearing by the Select Committee on Competence, Accountability and Transparency into the misuse of funds by the Association of Wives of State Assemblymen and Members of Parliament in Selangor (Balkis) is timely. While all kinds of claims and counter-claims have been made by all and sundry, the hearing, hopefully will put an end to or confirm rumours and speculation of extravagance.
It can be viewed as a groundbreaking move which will enable the public to get an insight into the workings of a voluntary welfare body and how state-owned companies use or misuse their funds allocated for charitable projects.
All this while, the public have been reading and listening to one side – the accusers in and out of the state assembly. So much has been said and written with all kinds of claims and accusations but never had the parties which had been implicated given their side of the story. When the committee sits on Monday, it will give an opportunity for those who have been implicated to tell the truth before a panel of state assemblymen.
While the focus has been on recent revelations that Balkis members went on a holiday to Disneyland in Tokyo and then to Hongkong and Seoul, there’s a far more important issue – the transfer of almost RM10 million from its accounts on the eve of the general election. The committee must also address this issue as part of this money came from state-owned companies, which means Selangor taxpayers.
While opening the hearings to the public and media and having it telecast live via webcast, the committee should not be seen as a vehicle to embarrass the previous Balkis committee. The hearings must be held within the ambit of the procedures that govern such hearings and it should not be used as a platform to go on an exercise in vengeance or revenge. On the contrary, it is imperative that the first of such hearings be viewed as being conducted fairly – without fear or favour. Wavering from such principles will only bring about accusations of a witch-hunt.
