Is the Law Minister misleading the public about government oversight?

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Is the Law Minister Misleading the Public About Government Oversight?

The de facto Law Minister Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan's assertion that the government system, including the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), is functioning as usual is inaccurate, according to PAC chairman Wong Kah Woh. Wong stated that both the PAC and Parliamentary Select Committees (PSCs) have had their proceedings suspended during the Emergency, directly contradicting the minister's claims of normal operations. This suspension, mandated by the Dewan Rakyat Speaker, prevents these committees from carrying out their oversight functions.
Suspension of Parliamentary Committee Proceedings

Wong Kah Woh clarified that the Speaker of the House directed that no proceedings or meetings of the PAC and other PSCs could be held while parliamentary sittings are suspended. This directive has led to the cessation of PAC proceedings and meetings. This contrasts with Takiyuddin Hassan's statement suggesting that the government system, which normally includes oversight from bodies like the PAC, continues to function without impediment.
Calls for Resumption Ignored

Despite a public call on March 18 by Dr Kelvin Yii, who chairs the PSC for Health, Science and Innovation, for the resumption of PAC and PSC meetings, this request was reportedly ignored. Wong Kah Woh questioned whether Takiyuddin Hassan was unaware of these suspensions or was intentionally attempting to mislead the public regarding the government's transparency and accountability mechanisms. He emphasized that the PAC would not allow its name to be used to create a false perception of an open government.
Calls for Parliament to Sit and Committees to Reconvene

Wong Kah Woh urged the Dewan Rakyat Speaker to immediately permit the PSCs to reconvene to monitor the government's administration and finances, particularly concerning expenses during the Emergency. Furthermore, he called on the government to allow Parliament to sit so that the PAC could present its findings and reports. Takiyuddin Hassan, however, indicated that Parliament would reconvene after the Emergency concludes in August, or potentially sooner, and suggested that parliamentarians could submit queries or concerns through channels like the Special Independent Emergency Committee 2021.

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Is the Law Minister misleading the public about government oversight?

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