Brief MPs privately on asset declaration, MACC told
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission should brief federal lawmakers privately regarding asset declaration, suggested National Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption Centre (GIACC) director general, Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed.
“I may have some discussion with Speaker on this. I may recommend the MACC have a special briefing on the procedures and justification of asset declaration with all lawmakers.
“So they can raise concerns and have a question and answer session in a closed-door discussion rather than in the open,” he told reporters.
The Dewan Rakyat passed a motion to compel all MPs to declare their assets, their spouses’ and children under the age of 21 along with their trustees yesterday despite initial objections from the opposition.
Failure to comply will result in the respective MP hauled up by the Rights and Privileges Committee.
Those making false declarations will face prosecution under Section 3, Act 783 (Statutory Declaration) and Section 193 of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term not exceeding three years or a fine.
Abu Kassim said that the asset declaration exercise would raise the level of transparency among politicians.
He also justified the move for the declaration on the basis that Malaysia had ratified the United Nations Convention Against Corruption which calls for asset declarations by MPs for the sake of transparency and accountability.
He also defended government backbenchers who had not declared assets as those who had switched their political allegiances to Pakatan Harapan. He also pointed out one lawmaker was just sworn in yesterday.
He also dismissed allegations of the opposition MPs that the government was using the MACC to fish personal wealth by stating that the MACC merely played the role of custodian to the declaration report.
