IPOH (Nov 26): The Perak Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will report to the State Legislative Assembly speaker on former Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir’s alleged objection and refusal to attend a public hearing on the Menteri Besar Incorporated (MB Inc) issue today.

Its chairman, Leong Cheok Keng, said no disciplinary action had so far been taken against the Pangkor assemblyman.

“Although we believe we have the power to penalise anyone for disrespecting the state assembly or any of its committees including the PAC, today we've decided not to penalise or take any disciplinary action.

“We will refer the matter to the state assembly for a decision,” he told reporters after adjourning the public hearing at the corporate meeting room, Perak Darul Ridzuan Building, here.

It was was adjourned after Zambry and MB Inc chief executive officer Datuk Aminuddin Hashim refused to be questioned at the public hearing.

Besides Leong, present at the scheduled hearing were Perak PAC deputy chairman Chong Zhemin, who is also Keranji assemblyman from DAP; Pasir Panjang assemblyman Yahaya Mat Nor (Amanah); Teja assemblyman Ng Shy Ching (PKR); and Gunung Semanggol assemblyman Razman Zakaria (PAS).

Absent were two other members, Pengkalan Hulu assemblyman Datuk Aznel Ibrahim (BN) and Slim assemblyman Datuk Mohd Khusairi Abdul Talib (BN), with Leong saying that action would be taken against these two if they still refused to attend the public hearing.

“They should behave in a professional manner. If they are not happy to be in this committee set up by the state assembly, they should think wisely whether they should remain in the committee or we continue functioning without them,” he said.

Earlier, Zambry who arrived around 10.10am, spoke for about 45 minutes before the PAC where he said the hearing was not conducted in accordance with the normal procedure and rules.

"When an individual is called to give a statement to the PAC, there should be a basis for it and that individual is usually called to make clarifications after the audit report is out, when an agency or a subsidiary company is found to have problems, but not at a public hearing like this.

"Do not conduct it according to your own interpretation; should follow the procedure and rules. Clearly, this is a very unfortunate episode and I wil not allow it to happen," he said.

Zambry said it was understood that an attempt to hold a hearing session in Parliament a few weeks ago was also rejected, hence any decision on such a matter should first be referred to Parliament.

He said he was prepared to testify if the proceeding was conducted properly as what had been practised by the state government all this while.

"I am not disrespecting the committee (PAC). If I am not present here, yes I am disrespecting the committee. My presence here is to object to the PAC’s procedure and practice.

"I am prepared to cooperate and answer the questions posed if the committee follows the normal procedure and practice. Not like this but if it insists on continuing, I will leave," Zambry said.