FMT INTERVIEW SHAH ALAM: Selangor Barisan Nasional is now having a change of heart, saying it may take up the offer from the Pakatan Rakyat state government to head the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
Despite having a differing stand previously, former menteri besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo told FMT in a recent interview that BN is open to the idea, but likened it to having been given a gun without bullets.
The state assembly, during its last sitting, appointed Mohd Shamsudin Lias (BN-Sungai Burong) to head PAC, but the latter and his BN colleagues had disapproved.
Describing it as “politically motivated”, Shamsudin said he rejected the appointment as he wanted to defend the integrity of BN assemblymen.
But now, Khir, who is the state opposition leader, is singing a different tune.
“We have two choices. One, Shamsudin can resign or he can try (out the post). But if he does not enjoy a good working relationship with other PAC members from the state government, then he should relinquish his post,” he said.
'BN man can be suspended'
BN is trapped between a rock and a hard place, since rejecting the appointment could be tatamount to contempt of the House.
“If we reject, the state assembly can take action against Shamsudin and he can be suspended for at least six months,” said Khir. “But forcing someone to take up the post is a funny thing.”
Khir, who was initially supportive of the appointment during a meeting with state speaker Teng Chang Khim, said he changed his mind when he was informed about the “real truth” behind it.
According to him, Teng did not disclose the full details, including the composition of the committee.
He was only made aware of the state assembly’s decision to appoint only two BN assemblymen as opposed to seven from the state government by a party colleague.
“I know that Teng said that I was supportive of it when he told me about the appointment. But he did not mention anything about the composition.
“So when I discussed the matter with my BN colleagues, they were totally against it, describing it as ‘high-risk’ politics,” he said, adding that he later brought this to Teng's attention.
“But he (Teng) said this is a Commonwealth practice. After I did my homework, I found out that only England practises this and even they have seven opposition reps and nine from the government in the committee and have an opposition rep as the chief,” he said.
'Power with no strength'
Meanwhile, Khir also criticised the state government for “acting funny” with regards to this matter.
“It is as if they are making fun of us. We (in BN) cannot even have the final say (as we don’t have the majority), and there is no check and balance.
“If they really want to give power to the chief, then they should give us the majority,” he said, likening the situation to “being given a gun without bullets”.
“They gave us power but not strength,” he added.
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