The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has refuted an allegation that it is toothless and cannot compel the government to act on its recommendations.

Its chairman, Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed said many of its recommendations in the Auditor-General's Report had been acted upon by the Chief Secretary to the Government (KSN) and the ministries.

"In fact, action taken by the KSN and the ministries seem to precede the PAC. For example, the Home Ministry (KDN) has started audit of security companies although we have yet to summon them," he said after chairing proceedings on licensing procedures for security companies and hiring of security guards at Parliament house here, today.

Nur Jazlan said action taken by the KSN and ministries in addressing the issues raised as good progress and reflects the government's seriousness.

The Pulai Member of Parliament added action taken by the ministries could not be regarded as neutral as it was not made on the recommendations of the PAC.

"I am not saying that action taken by the KSN and ministries is incorrect. Only recommendations made by the PAC is neutral as they are made without favouring any party."

On today's proceedings, he said the PAC has recommended that the KDN conduct psychological tests on all security guards to determine their level of mental alertness.

This was to ensure they could perform their tasks properly and prevent the recurrence of the fatal shooting of a a bank officer by a security guard.

Nur Jazlan said the KDN has informed that the operating licences of 45 security companies had been withdrawn due to violation of conditions.

There are 163,000 security guards including 13,000 Nepali citizens serving in various sectors in this country.