Amid speculation that he would be appointed as a cabinet minister, Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairperson Nur Jazlan Mohamed said that he would rather finish the committee’s investigation on 1MDB first.

Asked during an interview with Berita Harian to comment on the cabinet position, he reportedly dismissed it as ‘mere speculation’ and said he would prefer to stay as the PAC chief and oversee the investigation to its conclusion.

“This is the first time the chair of the PAC is held by a chartered professional accountant, whereas previous PAC chiefs had expertise in other fields.

“As a professional accountant, I have the heavy responsibility of meeting a higher standard. This challenges the PAC to issue a transparent report.

“I will use my experience in politics, accountancy, and corporations to steer the PAC especially in the 1MDB issue,” he was quoted as saying in the Malay-language daily’s report today.

The Pulai MP described it as a privilege to head the PAC in its probe on the troubled state investment company, and also an opportunity to prove his ability as the committee’s chairperson by working with PAC members from both BN and the opposition.

Nur Jazlan also defended his PAC colleague and Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua ( photo ) who is a vocal critic of 1MDB.

He said PAC members should not be issuing statements on matters being investigated by the committee, but if studied carefully, most of Pua’s statements were based on other sources such as parliamentary replies and informants.

“I have monitored the statements coming out of his mouth and found that he has never used information from the hearing sessions or questioning,” he said.

'Right to speak'

He added that Pua is also an MP, and hence has the right to speak up, including raising questions in Parliament and airing his views to the public.

He also pointed out that Pua has been highlighting the 1MDB issue long before the PAC even started its investigation.

The PAC had previously decided unanimously that only the chairperson Nur Jazlan can issue statements regarding the committee’s proceedings on 1MDB. The decision was announced to the media on the first day of the hearing.

Several of Pua’s detractors such as BN Backbenchers Club chairperson Shahrir Abdul Samad and Communications and Multimedia Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek ( photo ) had previously called for him to be removed from the PAC to avoid prejudicing its 1MDB probe.

Nur Jazlan had shot down such demands for Pua’s removal.

The bipartisan committee has been hearing testimonies from witnesses regarding the 1MDB issue since May 19, including representatives from the Ministry of Finance and 1MDB’s current and former auditors.

It is due to hear statements from 1MDB’s chief executives and board members next month, including some of their predecessors. Penang-born and Hong Kong-based tycoon Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low, has also been called to testify.

To a question on whether witnesses were cooperative in attending PAC hearings, Nur Jazlan said that based on his experience, most witnesses would willingly come even if they had retired.

“PAC’s principle is that we want people to come willingly. But if they are stubborn, we can play hard-ball as well.

“If PAC calls for a witness, it means it is a serious issue because it involves the image and credibility of the witness,” he said.

He added that it is a risky move if witnesses decide to lie to the PAC, because their statements would be compared against those from other witnesses.