KUCHING, July 1: Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing says as far as Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is concerned, all of its elected representatives have declared their assets in 2015.
He said all GPS elected representatives had declared their assets to Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission during the late Chief Minister Pehin Sri Adenan Satem’s time.
“Sometime in 2015, I think. MACC witnessed the occasion. If Pakatan Harapan MPs haven’t done it, they should do it as soon as possible,” he said in a WhatsApp message today.
On Jan 15, 2015, Adenan made history by having all his ministers and assistant ministers signed the integrity pledge before the then MACC chief, Tan Sri Abu Kassim.
Following the signing of the pledge, all ministers and assistant ministers submitted their lists of assets to MACC.
Declaring assets has become a hot topic again following Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department and de-facto Law Minister Datuk Liew Vui Keong’s tabling of the motion to compel all lawmakers to declare their assets in Parliament today.
The motion proposed that those who failed to declare their assets would be hauled before Parliament’s Select Committee on Rights and Privileges while MPs who make false declarations will be subjected to prosecution under Section 3, Act 783 (Statutory Declaration) and Section 193 of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term not exceeding three years or a fine.
Liew also stressed that that the motion was based on the principles of accountability and transparency.
The asset declaration, if approved, will compel all Dewan Rakyat members to declare their property, including that of their spouses, children and trustees in a Statutory Declaration, as prescribed by the Speaker.
“The Statutory Declaration shall be submitted to the Yang di-Pertua within three months from the date of this motion is agreed upon and copied to the chief commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
“The list of the members of the Dewan Rakyat who have declared their property shall be displayed on the MACC portal, and only the details of the declaration of the property of that member shall be posted on the portal for a period of three months from the date of receipt of the Statutory Declaration by the MACC,” added Liew.
Currently, there are no laws to compel lawmakers to declare their assets. — DayakDaily
