Dangerous? This excuse is irrelevant, Liew tells MPs who haven’t declared assets

Al 222 MPs have until Dec 5 to declare their assets and those of their spouses, adult children and trustees.

KUALA LUMPUR: The excuse given by some opposition MPs that declaring their assets puts them and their families in danger is irrelevant, says Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Liew Vui Keong.

The de facto law minister said government MPs have already declared their assets since October and these can be viewed on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) website.

“So far, there’s been no issue and it has not affected our safety.

“Claims that this will affect the safety of their family members are irrelevant,” he said.

Asked what action could be taken against the MPs who fail to declare their assets, he said that’s up to the house to decide.

Liew Vui Keong.

“The speaker can suspend an MP or impose a fine, maybe? So we’ll just wait,” he said.

Yesterday, Liew said all 222 MPs had until Dec 5 to declare their assets and those of their spouses, adult children and trustees.

He said the declaration must be presented to the Dewan Rakyat speaker, with a copy forwarded to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

Reading the motion which was passed in the Dewan Rakyat, he said it is in line with the principles of accountability and transparency.

The special motion making it mandatory for all MPs to declare their assets was approved on July 1.

MPs were originally given until Oct 1 to declare their assets, but Liew said this had been extended to Dec 5.

MPs who fail to declare their assets will be referred to the parliamentary rights and privileges committee. - FMT