“Almost 15 months yet no MPs voluntarily declare their assets”
All asset declarations – everything from past to now – must be always available online for public scrutiny.
(Focus Malaysia) – TUN Daim Zainuddin has been charged with failing to declare his assets to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on Jan 29. The former finance minister claimed trial at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court for the charge framed under Section 36(2) of the MACC Act pertaining to the disclosure of assets.
This has prompted lawyer-cum-social activist Charles Hector to wonder if a similar ruling should be applied to all Cabinet ministers and unity government MP in particular to declare their income as assets.
“The reason behind asset declaration of Cabinet ministers and MPs is primarily for the people to be re-assured that the monies earned during their term of office is clean – and not derived from abuse of powers (including indulgence in graft practices),” penned Hector in his latest blog.
“Sadly, the asset declaration in the past haven’t been accessible to the people at all times … all asset declarations – everything from past to now – must be always available online for public scrutiny. People need to compare past asset declaration (with the current one) to ascertain the increase/decrease in assets.”
Added Hector: “The public must be invited raise queries if they suspect/believe that the declaration is incomplete or false – perhaps some foreign bank accounts aren’t disclosed or that some land/properties are hidden under someone else’s name.”
