Speaker to act against MPs defying asset declaration order - MACC chief

Any action against opposition parliamentarians who refused to abide by the Dec 5 deadline to declare their assets will only come from the Dewan Rakyat Speaker, according to MACC chief Latheefa Koya.

"MACC is just the guardian of asset declaration.

"We don't have any powers to take any action (against MPs who refused) so we have to wait and see," Latheefa (above) told reporters after a public lecture in Kuala Lumpur.

She said this in response to reports that opposition MPs have remained coy on whether they would abide by the Dec 5 deadline set by parliament to declare their assets.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Liew Vui Keong tabled the motion for the new deadline yesterday and Opposition leader Ismail Sabri Yaakob later said the opposition MPs would meet and discuss the matter ahead of the deadline.

The opposition previously decided en bloc against declaring their assets, claiming the government had no legal basis to compel them to do so.

When pointed out that Dewan Rakyat Speaker Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof had said the move will be made mandatory for all MPs, Latheefa said: "They should, and if they don't, it's up to the speaker how to manage and take action."

She added that action can also be taken against MPs later found to have made a false declaration.

False declarations are subject to Section 199 of the Penal Code, punishable under Section 193 which provides for a maximum three-year jail sentence and a fine upon conviction.

Thus far, most Pakatan Harapan MPs have declared their assets to the MACC while Umno and PAS MPs have remained defiant against the ruling.

Earlier during her talk, Latheefa addressed the issue of integrity that goes beyond individual actions.

"Integrity is about speaking out when you see something wrong being done," she said, adding that combating corruption will involve a reform of mindsets, culture and overall systems.

"Even if Najib and Rosmah ended up going to jail, not necessarily corruption will be eradicated...we have to clean the system.

"Anyone in power and have access to funds is capable of committing corruption," she said. - Mkini