KUCHING, July 1: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) information chief Datuk Idris Buang is supportive of the motion to compel MPs to declare their assets.
Apart from MPs, he believed that state lawmakers and “those holding public positions” should also do so.
“I sincerely support such a step to legislate the requirement for MPs and ADUNs (state assemblymen and women) and all those holding public positions to declare their assets.
“I hope the resolution will make clear provisions, which must in all respects be fair and just for all to follow or abide by,” said Idris in a statement today.
Idris who is also Muara Tuang Assemblyman was responding to the Prime Minister’s Department and de-facto Law Minister Datuk Liew Vui Keong’s attempt to table 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
