DAP leaders told not to sign asset declaration pledge, party official claims

(The Star) – DAP lawmakers were told to not sign the agreement with PKR-linked research body Invoke to declare their assets, according to a party insider.

However prominent DAP members Seputeh MP Teresa Kok (pic) and Subang Jaya assemblyman Hannah Yeoh have denied the existence of such a directive.

According to the party insider, the message, issued in a closed WhatsApp group chat, had told party leaders to not sign the pledge as it could potentially undermine the party’s efforts in preparing for the upcoming polls.

“The memo says that ‘the pledge will pull the party down to a hole they can’t manage’, especially when the elections are approaching,” the official said.

The party official, who wishes to remain anonymous, said the message was disseminated in the closed WhatsApp group chat called “DAP MPs”, which consisted of DAP lawmakers.

“Most of the leaders agreed in the group chat that they are only willing to do it (declare assets) once they form the next government,” the official said.

However, the official claimed that there was a clash between several MPs, as nine wanted to sign the asset declaration form while many others were against it.

DAP vice president Teresa Kok said that she wasn’t approached by Invoke to sign the asset declaration pledge.

She also denied that any such directive was issued by DAP in the closed WhatsApp group chat.

DAP Subang Jaya state assemblyperson Hannah Yeoh also denied such a directive was issued.

“I have never received such instructions. I support asset declaration. It comes with the price of being a public figure dealing with taxpayers’ money,” she said.

Invoke is a policy research centre founded by PKR vice president Rafizi Ramli in October last year.

The signing of the pledge, which took place in Subang Jaya on Sunday night, saw a total of 30 Opposition leaders present – 20 from PKR, nine from Parti Amanah Negara, and one from PAS.