Private citizens should not be richer than the country, says ex-CM

 

Salleh Said Keruak said the practice of proper asset declaration and fair taxation is a positive approach that should be welcomed by all quarters, especially the super rich. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: A former minister said private citizens or families should not be allowed to be “richer than the country’s Treasury”, warning that it could lead to them effectively controlling and influencing major decisions of the government and its systems.

Salleh Said Keruak said the government should not allow a situation whereby private citizens or families are able to “undermine the general interests of the state or nation as well as democracy”.

Salleh, however, did not specify who or which families he was referring to.

“I am of the opinion that this is what the current government wants to assure the people of the nation.

“The current government, therefore, may require certain very high-net-worth citizens or families to declare their assets to ascertain how rich they are,” the former Sabah chief minister said in a Facebook post today.

Salleh also said the practice of proper asset declaration and fair taxation is a positive approach that should be welcomed by all quarters, especially the super rich.

“The principle and policy of ascertaining that no private citizens or families are richer than the state was practised by most highly developed democratic governments and states,” he said.

Such practices would institute good governance and fair distribution of wealth to achieve a healthy and vibrant economy.

Recently, several high-profile personalities and their family members made headlines after the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission launched investigations into their assets. - FMT