KUCHING, Dec 5: Two Members of Parliament (MPs) from Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) and one MP from Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) have yet to submit the statutory declaration of assets despite the deadline today (Dec 5).
Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Arif MD Yusof in a media statement today revealed that a total of 62 MPs including the three from the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition have not submitted their declaration forms.
Out of the 62 MPs, the majority who have yet to do so are from the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition with Umno (36), MCA (Tanjung Piai MP Wee Jeck Seng who was only sworn in on Nov 18), MIC (1) while the others were PAS (36), and the rest from GPS (3), Star (1) and two independent MPs from Bukit Gantang (Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal) and Kimanis (Datuk Seri Anifah Aman).
Meanwhile, Mohamad Arif confirmed that a total of 160 MPs mainly from Pakatan Harapan (139) and GPS (14), while three from BN and three others respectively from Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB), Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) and Parti Sabah Bersatu (PBS) have declared their assets.
In July, Parliament had passed a special motion compelling MPs from both sides of the political divide, as well as their wives, children and trustees, to declare assets.
Today is the deadline for all MPs to submit their declaration form, after an extended deadline.
The statutory declaration should have been submitted to the Dewan Rakyat Speaker in a period of three months from the date the motion was agreed upon (July 1) and be copied to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief.
Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong was reported as saying today that MPs who did not abide by the requirement would be held in contempt of parliamentary regulations.
He added that if any MP makes a false declaration, he or she is bound by Act 783 (Statutory Declarations Act 1960) and Section 199 of the Penal Code.
Those convicted could face a maximum jail term of three years and a fine. — DayakDaily
