PAC wraps up 1MDB inquiry, awaits Auditor-General for further action

(The Star) – Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has completed its inquiry into 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

In statement issued on Thursday, PAC chairman Datuk Hasan Arifin (pic) said focus would now be on the Auditor-General’s final report on 1MDB, scheduled to be tabled before the bi-partisan committee on Feb 24 and 25.

“The committee will consider calling more witnesses to assist in the PAC report on 1MDB’s management after the A-G’s report is tabled, if it is appropriate and necessary to do so,” he said.

He urged the public not to doubt the transparency of the committee’s report that will be tabled in Parliament.

“Our priority is to listen to the A-G’s final report on 1MDB and to complete our report,” Hasan said.

On Wednesday, reporters were informed that the committee would hold a press conference on Friday after hearing testimonies from former 1MDB chairman Tan Sri Mohd Bakke Salleh and the company’s former president and chief executive officer Datuk Shahrol Halmi, who were both called on Thursday for the second time.

Newsmen arriving at Parliament’s guardhouse were barred from waiting outside the room where the proceedings were held.

Last month, Hasan expressed worry that the PAC may not be able to table its report in Parliament in the coming meeting beginning March 7.

Among those called to testify before the PAC were former 1MDB chairman Tan Sri Lodin Wok Kamaruddin and current president and CEO Arul Kandasamy.