THE government must introduce an asset declaration law for public servants if it hopes to correct growing public perception that the country’s leaders are corrupt, say anti-graft groups.

Cynthia Gabriel, executive director of anti-corruption group C4, urged Malaysian leaders to lead by example and declare their assets to end the perceived deep-rooted cycle of corruption in the public sector.

“We don’t have a transparent asset declaration law in Malaysia; the government must take immediate steps to institute this, given the spate of MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) arrests involving civil servants and politicians living with unexplained wealth,” said Gabriel.

“Although Selangor and Penang have drawn up measures in this regard, a lot more needs to be done,” she told The Malaysian Insight.

In recent months, the MACC has made a slew of arrests, including of high level civil servants, over graft offences.

The latest to be caught in the MACC dragnet is Ampang PKR Youth chief Adam Rosly, who has been remanded for five days following investigations into his wealth.

Senior communications officer of Institute of Democracy and Economic Affairs Shaza Onn said apart from making asset declaration mandatory, a verification process was needed to ensure the information given was accurate.

“For a system to work, you need to have a strong verification process. That’s not impossible because you can work with the central bank, the Inland Revenue Board, and those who have information on people’s assets, because in general, they already have the information and the audit process.

“There are ways; it depends on whether our government wants to do it or not,” she said.

She said the current practice of ministers declaring their assets to the prime minister was not strong enough as it was an internal procedure.

In her report entitled, “How can Malaysia’s Asset Declaration System be improved to help combat corruption”, Shaza outlines several recommendations, including the introduction of a law to make it mandatory for ministers and members of Parliament, including senators, to declare their assets to a parliamentary committee that is independent of the executive. 

These declarations should then be verified by the MACC, which should. make the information available to the public if the leadership is serious about improving public perception of corruption in the ranks.

Transparency International-Malaysia president Akhbar Satar said the leadership of the three branches of government – executive, legislative and judiciary – should declare their assets to the MACC to allay public concerns regarding transparency in government.

He said it was vital for the MACC chief himself to declare his assets to Parliament.

“These declarations of assets should be made in line in the belief that transparency and accountability starts at the top.

“The disclosure of assets should not only be done before and after taking office, but net worth analyses recorded by the MACC should also be conducted periodically,” said Akhbar.