Extortion fear unfounded: Law minister takes a dig at BN MPs

De facto Law Minister VK Liew says the fears allied by BN MPs on asset declaration are unfounded

He was responding to some Opposition MPs who did not want to declare assets because they said it could lead to their abduction or extortion of their family members.

"The ministers made the declaration in October (2018), and all (the assets) are displayed in the portal. As of today, there has not been a single case of extortion or kidnapping involving any of us or our family members," Liew said.

"So the fear portrayed by MPs for not declaring this important information to the public is unfounded," he added in his speech at the National Stakeholders Consultation on the Right to Information Legislation programme in Putrajaya today.

Liew (below) warned the BN MPs that the asset declaration initiative has to be made known to the public, especially as lawmakers are now "public figures".

"In this regard, there should not be privacy. MPs need to sacrifice privacy for transparency as we are answerable to the public. If the information (asset declaration) is withheld, the speaker can cite them for contempt of the House and suspend or fine them," he said.

"So, the MPs must sacrifice on that issue."

On speculation that Tourism and Culture Minister Mohamaddin Ketapi had under-declared his assets, the minister in the Prime Minister's Department said the matter would be left to the MACC to investigate.

In his declaration, Mohamaddin, who initially claimed he had no assets, declared he amassed RM9,338 in September, includig his wife's assets. He then claimed the only asset he possessed is a RM9,000 motorcycle.

Yesterday, Liew announced that the deadline for MPs to declare their assets has been extended from Oct 1 to Dec 5.

BN MPs have decided not to abide by the parliamentary motion to compel the asset declaration, arguing that this was outside Parliament's jurisdiction.

Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) has left it to its MPs to decide whether or not to declare their assets, while PAS said its MPs need not declare their assets because they have already done so to the party.

In July, the Dewan Rakyat passed a motion to compel all MPs to declare their assets through a statutory declaration made to the House speaker.

Those who fail to do so would be answerable to the Parliamentary Rights and Privileges Committee.

In tabling the motion in July, Liew said it was the first step towards making relevant changes to the law to compel asset declaration by MPs and the members of the Executive.  - Mkini