THE deputy prime minister, four ministers and a deputy minister have yet to declare their assets, if the list on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) website is anything to go by.

The asset declaration by the Pakatan Harapan cabinet began in July and ended on October 31. The public can check the list online, as part of the government’s move to be more transparent.

But missing from the list are Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Foreign Affairs Minister Saifuddin Abdullah, de facto Law Minister Liew Vui Keong, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department P. Waytha Moorthy, Tourism Minister Mohamaddin Ketapi and Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Steven Sim.

Saifuddin and Sim told The Malaysian Insight that they had declared their assets but could not explain why their entries were not updated on the website.

The Malaysian Insight is awaiting the response from the other four ministers.

MACC deputy chief commissioner (prevention) Shamshun Baharin Mohd Jamil told The Malaysian Insight that the six may not have handed their declarations directly to the anti-graft agency.

“What we have on our website is the updated version. If they have declared, they need to hand it to us personally,” Shamshun said.

“Maybe their declarations are still at the PM’s office or with GIACC (National Centre for Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption).

“If they hand their declarations to us, there will be no question of tampering.”

Shamshun added that if the ministers were reluctant to declare, there was nothing the anti-graft body could do.

“We just provided a platform for them to declare their assets, that is all. If they refuse, we can’t force them or take action.

“But they should know better since it (transparency) was in their election manifesto.”

Civil society groups, however, wanted answers.

Transparency International Malaysia president Akhbar Satar said those who have yet to declare their assets should be ashamed of themselves as the prime minister himself had already done it.

“They should be ashamed. Their boss, a 93-year-old man, had done it earlier. What is your excuse? This must be your priority,” Akhbar said.

“This was your promise in the manifesto and it was delayed several times. You must set a good example.

“If you criticise the previous government for not being transparent, then you are no different from them.”

Suaram executive director Sevan Doraisamy said the people have the right to know how much the ministers and deputy ministers earn and how much assets they have.

“The easiest task to be completed under the manifesto is to declare the assets,” Sevan told The Malaysia.

“One reason why they need to declare their assets is for them to be transparent and responsible. That’s why the public have to know how much you make before you become a lawmaker.

“If you don’t declare, what sort of message are you sending to the people?”

In its election manifesto, PH stated that all members of the Dewan Rakyat, Dewan Negara and government officials with Jusa C ranking and above would be obliged to make a declaration of assets and income.

There are 55 ministers and deputy ministers. – December 6, 2018.