MACC should brief MPs on asset declaration, suggests GIACC chief

National Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption Centre (GIACC) director-general Abu Kassim Mohamed (above) has urged the MACC to privately brief lawmakers on the assets declaration plan for MPs.

“I recommend the MACC has a special briefing on the procedures and justifications of the asset declaration for all MPs.

“We can hear their concerns and have a question-and-answer (session) in a closed-door discussion rather than in the open,” he told reporters at the Parliament building today.

Yesterday, lawmakers approved a motion by the Pakatan Harapan government to compel all MPs to declare to the MACC within three months their assets as well as that of their spouses, children aged 21 and below and trustees.

Those failing to do so would be referred to the Parliamentary Rights and Privileges Committee while those found to have made false declarations could face up to three years imprisonment and a fine under existing laws.

Abu Kassim explained that the purpose of the declaration was to increase accountability for the country’s politicians, especially as Malaysia was a signatory of the UN Convention against Corruption.

“One of the recommendations for our country to follow is to request politicians, especially those in Parliament, to declare their assets. This is one of the processes towards making politicians more accountable and transparent,” he said.

However, Abu Kassim added it would take time for all politicians to declare their assets.

This, he said, included MPs in the ruling coalition who have yet to declare their assets as many of them had joined the ruling coalition not too long ago.

On a question whether the declarations could be used as a political tool for the government to “fish" for the wealth of opposition parliamentarians, the former MACC chief commissioner stressed MACC would be the sole custodian of the declarations “at the moment”.

He further said: “I was informed (that the MACC was the sole custodian) and was told the MACC is in the midst of drafting a law about it [...] on how to make it more effective.

“We have to wait for MACC’s proposal.”

The GIACC today opened an information and asset declaration counter (above) at Parliament to assist MPs to file their declarations.  - Mkini