New Straits Times

Dr M: All MPs must declare assets

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PUTRAJAYA: The government is ramping up efforts to check corruption by extending the asset declaratio­n initiative to include opposition members of parliament (MPs).

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said this meant opposition MPs, as well as the rest of the federal lawmakers, must declare their assets in the Lower House of Parliament.

“The opposition MPs can exercise some powers. For example, they have the power of criticisin­g the government and they have (the) free voice (to put forward) the criticism made by somebody or others.

“(Thus), they (the opposition MPs) must also declare their assets. This has to go through the Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat before it can be initiated.”

He said this after chairing the 8th Special Cabinet Committee on Anti-Corruption (JKKMAR) and the launching of the myPortal initiative here yesterday.

Dr Mahathir earlier said the asset declaratio­n initiative for the ruling party MPs was one of their key performanc­e indicators (KPIs) for ministers.

The KPI requires them to ensure administra­tion members in their ministries declare their assets to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

The National Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption Centre (GIACC), Dr Mahathir said, had proposed five KPIs, including asset declaratio­n initiative­s, to show the commitment and accountabi­lity of all ministers.

“The second proposal is to form and execute the gift policy. This will see ministers having to sign a declaratio­n to issue directive on the said policy and ensure it is carried out.

“What is the gift policy? Now we cannot accept many gifts.

“Previously, when I was the prime minister, I had received 26 cars, which I had returned.

“Now, the gifts received cannot be worth more than RM500. We can accept food and flowers.

“Now, my house is full of food and flowers. So, don’t go and report to (GIACC director-general Tan Sri Abu Kassim (Mohamed),” he quipped, drawing laughter from the floor.

The other three proposed KPIs for the ministers include rolling out anti-corruption plans at their respective organisati­ons; to hold meetings on strengthen­ing governance, integrity and anti-corruption at ministeria­l level, as well as to boost transparen­cy on public procuremen­t, and reduce risk of corruption.

Dr Mahathir underscore­d the need for all quarters to play their role in the fight against corruption. He highlighte­d some of the initiative­s deliberate­d during the

JKKMAR meeting.

Dr Mahathir said among other initiative­s raised in the meeting was to boost the effectiven­ess and transparen­cy of public procuremen­t based on the advice and suggestion of the technical department­s such as the Public Works Department and relevant technical agencies. Others include the election system reform progress so far, which is now at the updating the electoral roll level.

He said efforts were made to improve the appointmen­t process of top management in government-linked companies by putting candidates through tight screening processes involving various elements, including being vetted by the MACC; checking their status with the Insolvency Department; checking their involvemen­t in other companies; declaring any family member who works in companies or is involved in any procuremen­t associated with GLCs, and to do background checks on their academic qualificat­ions.

Dr Mahathir said the government was looking at establishi­ng a task force to coordinate efforts towards making Malaysia an excellent nation under Corporate Governance Watch (CGW).

He said the task force would be spearheade­d by former Bank Negara governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz.

“Zeti will set up the committee and study the report by CGW.”

Dr Mahathir also said Malaysia’s corporate governance rating had been very positive.

“We are placed among top countries where corporate governance is according to requiremen­ts.”

He quoted the “Ease of Doing Business Report” by the World Bank to prove that Malaysia had improved its competitiv­eness globally through businessfr­iendly policies.

The report stated that Malaysia had moved up to 15th place, up from the previous 24th rank out of 190 countries.

He said Malaysia was a good country to invest but untrue reports by media could be hampering its projection to others.

He also suggested that the Election Commission reconsider its move to bar ministers and their deputies from campaignin­g in byelection­s during working hours.

He said the condition was “grossly unfair” to the government and should be re-looked.

“By-elections will not change the government. But, there is a directive (from the EC) that government officers and, in this case, the ministers and deputy ministers are not allowed to campaign during working hours.

“(But) ministers do work beyond the normal office hours, like up to 10pm.

“Such a restrictio­n can be seen as giving the other side (the opposition) more chance and they (the opposition) have no work and want the job. They can campaign for 24 hours, but ministers are not allowed to do it. I feel this restrictio­n is not good for us to put into practice.”

He also shared other restrictio­ns, such as preventing the ruling party from using government assets, citing his experience during the recent Cameron Highlands by-election.

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