NOVEMBER 9 — After PKR deputy president Mohd Rafizi Ramli declared his assets ahead of the 15th General Election (GE15), and just today PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has declared his assets worth some 11.2 million as of last month.
It is important for asset declaration made before, during, and after each and every term by the members of Parliament.
Let’s not forget in July 2019, there was a motion passed in Parliament compelling all members of Parliament (MPs) to declare their assets. This is to create transparency with regard to an MP’s financial standing and wealth accumulation.
With that said, before the dissolution of Parliament, caretaker Ismail Sabri has in fact, supported such implementation under the special cabinet committee during the anti-corruption meeting.
Malaysia is yet to have a proper legal framework that caters specifically to assets declaration but there are a few subsidiary legislations that cover part and puzzle of it. The framework can be found in the following:
• Public Officers (Conduct & Discipline) Regulations 1993 & Service Circular No.3/2002
• Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009
• The Judges Code of Ethics 2009
• Code of Ethics of Members of Administration 2009
• Code of Ethics for Government Backbenchers 2004
Despite having those legislation mentioned above, it is still not comprehensive enough. These are merely window-dressing regulations, which failure to comply with will only result in administrative action.
Having said that, it is not mandatory for MPs to declare their assets, unlike civil servants, who are required to declare their assets every five years. This is optional for ministers.
An asset declaration of the public officials or the nominated candidates here IS mainly to prevent corruption or other words conflict of interest. It’s a known fact that corruption comes in many forms, and asset declaration could be the step forward in fighting it.
As such, making this available to the public helps the check and balance between the ministers/nominated candidates and the people. This was something that the previous government made accessible to the public, but not anymore.
This has been a debatable issue when it intertwines data privacy and public disclosure, and when it comes to accountability and transparency, public interest overrides personal interest. Thus, it is high time for the nominated candidates to come forward and make their assets declaration, regardless of whether it is a law or not.
In addition to that, it is also time for Parliament to enact an Asset Declaration Act. If they had the political will to pass the anti-party hopping law, that requires a 2/3 majority, perhaps with that same political will, this could be another law in the making.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or organisation and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
