WHILE Putrajaya is taking the right step in asking ministers and deputies to declare their assets, the move is not enough, said civil society groups.

They said the Pakatan Harapan government should make the declarations public.

The asset declaration should not only be made to the prime minister or anti-corruption agency but also disclosed to the public, said pro-reform civil group ENGAGE chairman Thomas Fann.

“We do not want to see a repeat of the situation where the prime minister’s office is vested with too much power, which could lead to abuses of power and corruption. 

“Having or not having wealth is not a crime or shame and all ministers and deputies should not fear having their assets subject to public scrutiny,” he told The Malaysian Insight. 

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said earlier today ministers and their deputies as well as political secretaries must declare their assets to him, and the information will then be passed on the relevant agencies dealing with corruption. 

Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) director Cynthia Gabriel said making asset declaration public is an essential part of promoting transparency and good governance. 

“It’s the only way for the public to assess the integrity of its government leaders,” she said, adding that the group has done a detailed study with the Malaysian Bar on asset declaration and is keen to meet with the prime minister’s office on the matter.

“The part about making it public is the true test for integrity, transparency and accountability.”

She also reiterated the C4’s recommendation to the new attorney-general to come up with a public asset declaration law compelling the spouses of ministers and MPs to declare their assets as well. 

She said the country couldn’t afford to have another Rosmah Mansor, wife of ousted leader Najib Razak.

“It requires tremendous political will and enforcement,” Gabriel said. 

If the asset declarations are available only to the prime minister, it would go against the Pakatan Harapan practice of making public the worth of its officials.

Selangor was among the first states to introduce asset declarations to the public in 2009, while Penang set the rule in place when the now defunct Pakatan Rakyat captured the state.

Asked why the asset declarations will not be made public, Dr Mahathir, who is also PH chairman, said the matter is being studied.

“We are going to find ways to formulate the rules regarding gifts and other things.” – June 8, 2018.