'Unfair!' - Najib on MP asset declaration

Former premier Najib Abdul Razak has expressed unhappiness over the Dewan Rakyat's move to pass a motion on mandatory asset declaration for all members of Parliament.

The Pekan MP argued it was unfair for opposition lawmakers to declare all of their assets, part of which were not derived from their parliamentary allowance.

"We (opposition) MPs are not part of the executive [...] There are also other bodies that could probe (the assets) if there were any irregularities," he told reporters in Parliament today.

"For example, if we are a lawyer or an architect, we will have other sources of income.

"So if the other sources are deposited into the same account and declared as our assets, it becomes unfair, because it (the declaration) is based on our income as MPs," he said.

Najib also echoed concerns that the move could potentially present a security risk to an MP.

"Anything can happen, from a security standpoint and other views," he added.

After five hours of debate on Monday, Dewan Rakyat speaker Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof called for a voice vote and passed a motion, without objection from the opposition, to compel lawmakers to declare their assets and assets belonging to their spouse and children. 

During the debate, opposition lawmakers tried to argue that Putrajaya had brought up an illegal motion in the House. 

Kota Bharu MP Takiyuddin Hassan and other opposition lawmakers even pledged not to declare their assets even if the motion is passed.

When debating the motion, PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man cited the Prophet's teachings against declaring material possessions, as others will be envious.

Under fire for allegedly exploiting religion, the Kubang Kerian MP yesterday defended his use of the hadith but stressed that PAS MPs were prepared to declare their assets "if it did not court jealousy".  - Mkini