Anwar: Only those in public office need declare assets

While opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has no objection to declaring his assets in public, he said Pakatan Rakyat’s council required only those holding public office to do so.

Anwar said the decision by the council was to ask all those who are holding public office to declare their assets, and "not every level of political leaders".

However, he said he will raise the matter in the coming council meeting, which will be in two weeks time.

"What is the rationale (behind the decision), what is the precedence and whether it is required (for us) to do it.

"You are required (to declare) when you hold public position because it may influence the decision that you make," he said when met at his Aidilfitri open house in Permatang Pauh today.

When asked about Selangor goverment’s decision not to compel its state cabinet members to publicly declare their assets, Anwar said he would advise Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim accordingly.

In Selangor, the decision to declare asset lies with the elected representatives, where he or she can opt not to do it.

Anwar was referring to DAP national chairperson Karpal Singh's (right) statement today urging all elected representatives, including Anwar and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, to declare their assets openly.

Karpal said he would be declaring his asset after DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng gives him a date to do so.

"I will advise Karpal accordingly, that we decided only on those holding public office, not MPs and assemblypersons (need declare).

"What Karpal is asking is beyond our agreement within the council. We would have to raise his suggestion there," he added.

When asked if Pakatan MPs in Penang, including himself, would do so, Anwar said they complied with the council’s decision and not that of the Penang government.

On Tuesday, Penang Pakatan 11 state executive councillor and 40 assemblymen declared their assets publicly.