GE15 | PKR president Anwar Ibrahim has followed suit with other candidates from his party to publish his asset declaration to the party.
In the declaration uploaded onto the party candidates’ website today, the Tambun candidate declared a net asset of RM11.18 million.
This came after Malaysiakini reported that most of the candidates have done so, but declarations by Anwar, his wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail were "to be updated".
In his declaration, which was notarised today, Anwar declared RM828,667.83 in cash assets and RM10.35 million in real estate properties.
The real estate properties include a house in Segambut Dalam, Kuala Lumpur, valued at RM9 million.
It was bought in 2005 for RM4 million in cash from proceeds from the sale of a property in Bukit Damansara.
Cash from selling the Bukit Damansara house was also used to pay for land in Port Dickson, which he bought for RM1 million cash.
Besides that, Anwar also has land in his hometown in Penang, which he inherited in 2014, and another piece of land in Bentong, Pahang, worth RM300,000, which he bought this year.
The 75-year-old appears to have emptied his Employees Provident Fund and has no other assets besides cash and real estate.
He has no monthly expenses or financial liabilities, owns no vehicles, art, jewellery or investments, and only has his MP allowance of RM21,755.69 a month.
Meanwhile, Wan Azizah and Saifuddin's asset declarations are still pending on the website.
Wan Azizah is contesting in Bandar Tun Razak while Saifuddin is defending his Kulim Bandar Baharu seat.
‘Declarations fodder for attack’
Although this is a condition of PKR for election contestants, this is the first time the declarations have been made public.
Although they are required to provide itemised details of their assets and liabilities, not all comply with the format, with several just giving a lump sum figure.
This includes Pakatan Harapan's Sungai Buloh candidate R Ramanan, who declared RM63.5 million in net assets but did not provide a breakdown of his multiple properties, jewellery and vehicles and his liabilities.
In response, Ramanan told reporters that Sungai Buloh voters don't want to know how many rings, watches and chains he owns.
The asset declarations have also become fodder for rivals, who have used them to attack the PKR candidates.
On social media, Batu candidate P Prabakaran was questioned as to why he said he bought vehicles on loan but did not specify his loan commitments in his monthly expenses.
PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli, who is contesting in Pandan, is also under fire by Bersatu rivals who questioned the RM17 million worth of shares he has in data analytics firm Invoke, which he founded.
Responding in detail to their queries, Rafizi also challenged BN and PN candidates to declare their assets as well.
BN candidates say it's unnecessary
In Sungai Buloh, BN candidate Khairy Jamaluddin dismissed the move as unnecessary unless one is appointed to cabinet.
Perak BN chairperson Saarani Mohamad said it wouldn’t be a problem for him to make such a public declaration, but noted it is not an Election Commission requirement.
Besides PKR, PSM candidates also declared their assets - a practice of the party for several elections now.
Its Ayer Kuning candidate and lawyer Bawani KS has declared a net asset of RM922.50.
PSM chairperson Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj said PSM believes it is an important part of check-and-balance.
“If her wealth increases, the people can ask her how she got richer and where did the money come from,” Jeyakumar said.- Mkini
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