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PN questions auditor-general vacancy

MPs say the position has been left empty for four months now, impeding many national affairs.

Nur Hasliza Mohd Salleh
2 minute read
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Kota Bharu MP Takiyuddin Hassan speaks at a press conference with other MPs from Perikatan Nasional at the Parliament lobby, June 6.
Kota Bharu MP Takiyuddin Hassan speaks at a press conference with other MPs from Perikatan Nasional at the Parliament lobby, June 6.

MPs from Perikatan Nasional (PN) today asked why the position of auditor-general had been left vacant for four months, following the retirement of Nik Azman Nik Abdul Majid in February. 

Masjid Tanah MP Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said the matter deserved to be given priority as many national affairs cannot be handled without an auditor-general. 

She said Articles 105, 106 and 107 of the Federal Constitution lay out the duties and roles of the auditor-general. 

"These are not to be lightly given to ministerial or audit officers," she added in a press conference at the Parliament lobby. 

"They have no authority under the Federal Constitution. The individual with the authority is the auditor-general. 

"How are we supposed to discuss these issues if we don't even have an auditor-general?"

Kota Bharu MP Takiyuddin Hassan meanwhile asked if the government had left the position vacant because it was afraid of being audited.

"We could say this," he added. 

Nik Azman served as auditor-general for four years before retiring on Feb 23. 

He said two main issues remained pending at the time of his retirement: Terminal 2 at KLIA and the matter of land compensation for the second Penang Bridge.

The PN MPs also questioned the government's proposal that the bill for the 2021 auditor-general's report be debated in the Dewan Rakyat. 

Usually, copies of the report are provided to MPs without a presentation of the report itself. 

The suggestion earlier sparked an uproar in the Dewan Rakyat, with MPs from the opposition calling for the motion to be accepted without debate, with any investigation handed over to the Public Accounts Committee.