UMNO deputy president Mohamad Hasan today defended his refusal to declare his assets, saying he is not legally required to do so as he no longer held public office.

Mohamad, who is Barisan Nasional’s (BN) candidate for the coming Rantau by-election, said the move to declare assets is not relevant as it is not a requirement for candidates.

“I don’t see the relevance of declaring assets in this by-election. What is there to prove?

“But for that side (Pakatan Harapan), they need to declare their assets because they are now the government,” he said during a press conference at the BN centre in Rantau today.

Mohamad, who is fondly known as Tok Mat, said he had readily declared his assets to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) when he was Negeri Sembilan menteri besar.

“Every term, I would declare my assets to the MACC. Go and check with them.

“Now that I am no longer MB and don’t hold any positions (in government), there’s no need to declare assets. In any case, my assets are declining, not increasing.”

PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution had cast doubt over Mohamad’s sincerity and openness for not declaring his assets, whereas Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun and Pakatan Harapan candidate for Rantau Dr S Streram had done so.

Mohamad said it was only right for Saifuddin to declare his assets, but dismissed his challenger Streram’s move.

“If Streram wants to declare his assets, that’s fine. But whatever for?”

Mohamad, 62, is battling to retain Rantau, after having the election court nullify his victory in May’s general election.

After Streram was denied entry into the nomination hall, Mohamad had won uncontested the seat that he held for three terms.

Polling day is on April 13 while early voting is on April 9. – April 2, 2019