Two MPs from Pakatan Rakyat (PR) claimed they were kicked out of a public briefing on the latest series of the Auditor General’s Report by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Paul Low today.
Sim Tze Tzin (PKR – Bayan Baru) and Datuk Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah Raja Ahmad (PAS – Kuala Terengganu) said Low had asked them to leave the auditorium at Menara Integriti, just as soon as the programme, which was broadcast live, had started.
”We arrived, registered and were allowed to go in. But then, an officer from the ministry approached me and told me that since I am an MP, I was not allowed to be there,” Raja Kamarul told reporters at the Parliament lobby.
“But I asked if I could stay and after conferring with his boss, the officer returned and told me I could stay but I was not allowed to ask any questions.”
The PAS MP added that as soon as Low stepped onto the stage and finished his welcoming speech, he said the briefing was only for civil servants and the media.
“And the two of us were then asked to leave.”
“What kind of integrity and good governance is this, especially coming from a former president of Transparency International?” saidRaja Kamarul.
He added that the incident left both of them to wonder if the public briefing was orchestrated to pacify the public.
“I don’t see why we, as elected representatives, can’t be there. This is a big question mark.
“We have the reports and it was also broadcast live. So why should it be a secret?” he said.
Sim said the incident only showed that Low was unable to deal with the “tough questions” which would have been posed by the Pakatan MPs.
“They don’t want to allow critical questions. It shows that the government has failed in transparency,” he added.
“By calling only civil servants to attend the briefing session, it is as if the government is monitoring itself. This is an excellent way to whitewash the AG’s Report via a special briefing.”
Raja Kamarul said the minister, however, had promised to have a briefing for MPs at a later date, but added that previous experiences have shown that this would not happen.
“This is the same as the MH370 issue. The acting transport minister promised to hold a briefing for Pakatan MPs but that never happened, so why should we believe what Low says now?” he said.
