PARLIAMENT | The government has legal no basis to impose a ruling to compel all lawmakers to declare their assets including the assets of their family members, says opposition lawmakers.
During the debate on the motion on asset declaration, opposition lawmakers openly pledged that they will not follow such ruling if it is enforced.
This came after Takiyuddin Hassan (PAS-Kota Bharu) (photo, above) pledged that he would not declare his asset even if the motion on asset declaration is successfully passed by the government and comes into effect.
He cited a report which quoted Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad who said members of the opposition must also declare their assets as they have the power to criticise the government, and they have a free voice.
"When this motion comes into force, I pledge that I will be the first (lawmaker) not to declare my asset," said Takiyuddin who is also PAS secretary-general.
Shahidan Kassim (BN-Arau) also stood up and pledged: "I am the second person (to follow suit)."
This led to many other lawmakers who stood up to show that they will not declare their asset.
Takiyuddin also cited a news report which quoted Dewan Rakyat speaker Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof (above) stating that he has no right to punish lawmakers who decline to declare their assets.
Meanwhile, Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar (GPS-Santubong) pointed out the government has no legal basis to bring the motion.
He also argued that the Parliamentary Standing Orders which guide the sitting and operation of the House were also silent on the matter.
Azalina Othman Said (BN-Pengerang) concurred with Wan Junaidi and urged the government to retract the motion.
[More to follow] - Mkini
Hmmm! The whole house is full of skeleton. So how to declare but they still said they are clean.
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