No one can escape from declaring assets, gifts, says Dr M

PUTRAJAYA: The prime minister and deputy prime minister are public officers who have to comply with the code of ethics for members of administration and members of parliament.

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the matter was decided yesterday by the Special Cabinet Committee on Anti-Corruption.

He said decisions were reached to have several rules and regulations to address various forms of corruption, including graft involving politicians and administrators, which would include the prime minister and deputy prime minister.

“In this respect, no one can escape from declaring one’s assets and gifts received,” he said, adding that in the past, the prime minister was not a public officer.

In a landmark judgment last year, the High Court had ruled that the prime minister was not a public officer in public office.

It held that the prime minister was also not in public service as defined under the Federal Constitution, but “a member of the administration”.

Dr Mahathir said the current government could amend the laws to make sure that the prime minister and the deputy prime minister were not above the law, “but within the law”.

He said the government was determined to reduce and check corruption that came in many forms, but it was not an easy task.

Earlier, Dr Mahathir chaired the special committee meeting on anti-corruption.

Also in the meeting were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu and Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali.

Others were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Judicial Affairs) Datuk Liew Vui Keong, Attorney-General Tommy Thomas and Auditor General Tan Sri Dr Madinah Mohamad and National Centre for Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption director-general Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed.

To a question, Dr Mahathir said the existing code of ethics would be amended to include the new categories, including members of parliament of the government who would be subject to these guidelines.

The prime minister reiterated the no-gift policy, except for flowers and food, as well as certain items to thank and honour the recipient, would also apply to him and his deputy, as well as cabinet ministers.

“For items like plaques made from pewter, for instance, will still need to be declared,” he said, stressing that major items such as cars, including Mercedes Benz and Proton cars, were not allowed.

Dr Mahathir said any assets and revenue should be declared to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

He told administrators and civil servants not to abuse the power vested in them for personal gain, or in the interests of their families and friends, and reminded civil servants to uphold noble values when discharging their duties.

“The power we have is not for us to accumulate wealth for ourselves, family or friends, but for administering our beloved nation as best as we can,” said Dr Mahathir.

“We are given the power not to enrich ourselves, but to perform certain tasks. That is why we are in power. When we resort to malpractices or abuse our power, believe me, we ourselves will become victims eventually,” he told the staff of the Prime Minister’s Department during its monthly gathering.

Dr Mahathir said people sometimes forgot their tasks when they were given the chance to do something.

Referring to the culture and values practised in developed countries, he said many of their people and administrators were industrious, trustworthy and diligent, and mastered knowledge.

“They also put into practice what they have learned and live a noble life, making it a part of their culture.”

He said some countries were less developed because their people, especially the administrators, did not adhere to noble values.

Dr Mahathir said Malaysia might be unable to become a developed nation by 2020 as planned, but the country could achieve that status because the people had the capability to make it happen.

“What is necessary is sincerity, trust, diligence and effort, and the key is to be satisfied with our work, not with what we get,” he said, adding that to achieve the goal of a developed nation, the people should not depend solely on prayers.

“We pray to God, but our prayers must be followed with our action. If we only pray and do nothing, what we desire will not come flowing to us.”

He said those in the administrative capital were responsible for turning Putrajaya into a city that many admired.