Backbencher calls for asset declaration to be expanded to all elected reps

KUALA LUMPUR: A backbencher yesterday proposed for the scope of asset declaration to be expanded to all elected representatives from both the government and the opposition to uphold the national administration agenda in a clean and transparent manner.

Wong Kah Woh (PH-Ipoh Timur) said the proposal was in line with Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's directive for all members of the government administration including ministers, deputy ministers and political secretaries to declare their assets to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

“Such a move is vital to prove the transparency of the current government leadership and also for the people to monitor and to ensure that their elected representatives are not making themselves rich by using their positions,” he said when debating the motion of thanks for the royal address at the Dewan Rakyat sitting here.

At this point, Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (PAS-Pasir Mas) interjected and asked whether Wong would agree that the asset declaration should begin with the prime minister himself.

In reply, Wong said he was confident that the declaration would be done simultaneously by all government elected representatives.

Wong also noted the government's determination in ensuring power abuse- and corruption-free administration by allowing nine key agencies to operate as independent entities, reporting directly to Parliament and not to the Prime Minister's Department anymore.

Among the nine agencies are the MACC, Election Commission, Public Service Commission and the Judicial Appointments Commission. Wong also proposed for parliamentary select committees to be set up soon to monitor the administration of the nine key agencies.

“Members of Parliament should be given bigger roles in ensuring that the key agencies would be monitored transparently, while being able to operate independently and efficiently,” he said.

Meanwhile, Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (BN-Ayer Hitam) lauded the government's plan to restructure the Malaysian Parliament and allow it to operate as independent entity now.

For that, the MCA deputy president proposed for a drafting committee or section be set up so that Members of Parliament could determine and draft new laws based on their perspectives as lawmakers and not just depending on the Attorney-General's Chambers.