NEW laws need to be crafted to make asset declarations by MPs and ministers mandatory, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) deputy chief commissioner (prevention) Shamshun Baharin Mohd Jamil said.

The current asset declaration is done according to Parliament’s code of ethics, and cannot be enforced by the MACC, he said in a radio interview today.

“If they fail to declare their assets, the only action that can be taken against them is by Parliament, and the penalty is not harsh.

“We will need special laws if we want MACC to enforce asset declaration as is done in Thailand, India, Georgia and Indonesia. Implementation can also be more transparent,” Shamshun said on the broadcast by MACC.fm.

In some of these countries, past prime ministers are still required to declare their assets even though they have left office, he said.

When Pakatan Harapan was in federal power, it passed a motion last July requiring all MPs to declare their assets, including that of their spouses and children.

The declaration is to be made to the speaker with copies furnished to the MACC, which displays the names and declarations on a website.

Although MACC cannot enforce the asset declaration, Shamshun said if any lawmaker is caught lying, he or she would be liable to action under provisions in the Penal Code which carry a jail sentence and fine. – August 6, 2020.