Best to declare assets before, during and after, says MP

 

Opposition MPs Hassan Karim, Fahmi Fadzil and Maria Chin Abdullah have called for extra measures on asset declarations.

PETALING JAYA: Opposition MPs have lauded Putrajaya’s new policy requiring members of the judiciary and heads of government companies to declare their assets.

But more needs to be done to effectively curb corruption, the MPs said.

Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim called for the declarations to include the assets of the person’s wife and children, and for false declarations to be made subject to criminal prosecution.

He said the public must be allowed to closely scrutinise whether the declarations are true, by having the declarations published on the website of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

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Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil said parts of the declaration not involving personal data should be accessible by the public throughout the year.

The declaration must also be done before someone assumes a post, midway through the term, if not annually, and upon completion of the term.

Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah said asset declarations should also be required for anyone in top positions with executive powers to approve and acquire assets or projects.

She said MPs and senators should also be subject to asset declarations, as there were MPs, particularly those from the government, who were not declaring their assets.

The asset declaration policy was announced today by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who said a new code of ethics for MPs would also be introduced.

He said the Cabinet had decided to form a committee to oversee the transfer of local council officers to curb corruption and the existence of “little Napoleons”. - FMT