PUTRAJAYA: There is a need to make ministers’ asset declarations more transparent to keep it from being a “political gimmick”, says Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
“Declaration of assets was a farce in the past, as far as I’m concerned. People (ministers) may have hundreds of millions but only declare RM11-12 million,” he said during a press conference at the finance ministry here.
Anwar was asked whether his ministers had declared their assets to him and, if not, why and when it would be made public.
The prime minister said he was in discussion with agencies like the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on making the asset declaration process for ministers more transparent by setting the right parameters.
Anwar claimed that in the past, ministers would not be honest in their asset declarations, making a mockery of the process.
“The priority is that whatever decision is made (to improve the process), it would be more responsible and transparent instead of just being a political gimmick,” he said.
On Nov 26, FMT reported that the Center to Combat Corruption & Cronyism (C4) had called for newly-elected MPs, especially those from Pakatan Harapan (PH), to declare their assets, in keeping with election promises.
Its chairman, Terence Gomez, said PH MPs must also declare the assets of their spouses and family members aged 18 and above as promised in its manifesto.
He said the declaration of assets should not be a one-off practice after an election or when a person is appointed to a ministerial post, adding that it should be done annually to determine the wealth accumulated during their time in office.
In the run-up to the 15th general election (GE15), candidates from PKR, Muda and PSM declared their assets.
DAP, however, said only those of its candidates who were elected would be required to do so.
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