Dr M: Politicians must declare their assets, only gifts allowed are food and flowers

(The Star) – Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad says that all members of the Cabinet are public officials.

He said that this means that they – including the prime minister, deputy prime minister and political secretaries – have to declare their assets and income.

This differs from a court judgment last year, which ruled that former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was not a public official and therefore could not be made liable for misfeasance in public office.

Dr Mahathir said this at a press conference after a special Cabinet committee meeting on anti-corruption on Monday (July 9). 

On his statement, which contradicts the court, Dr Mahathir said rulings could always be changed.

“The court of law is not actually God. If you make a ruling that is not current and not in keeping with the current thinking, we can amend it,” he said.

He also said that the only gifts that politicians and government officials are allowed to receive are flowers and food.

“They will need to seek permission to even receive a pewter plaque.

“If they are given a Mercedes or even a Proton, they must return it,” he said.