PUTRAJAYA’S efforts to arrest corruption would be more effective if it included all lawmakers, even those from the opposition, and made asset declaration a law, said several MPs.

They said while the code of ethics which they were briefed on yesterday was sound advice and useful guidelines, it was, nevertheless, just a code

Kluang MP Wong Su Qi said there was nothing to bound MPs or ministers to it.

“To make it more effective, it should be extended to all MPs, regardless of party affiliation,” said Wong from DAP who will make her debut in Parliament next week after winning the Kluang seat in the 14^th general election.

She, nevertheless, welcomed the efforts of Putrajaya to curb corruption by first convincing ministers and backbenchers.

“The section on the dos and don’ts of constituency budget spending was useful for a first-time MP like me,” said Wong.

Although, the 35-year-old former journalist was the Senai assemblyman (2013-2018), she has never attended a code of ethics briefing under the previous government. 

Wong was among 160 Pakatan Harapan ministers, deputy ministers and MPs who attended a one-day briefing by the National Centre for Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption (GIACC), which is headed by former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief Abu Kassim Mohamed.

Among the topics covered yesterday were asset declaration, receiving gifts, functions of GIACC, management of constituency allocations and the MACC Act 2009.

Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil said the briefing was important for lawmakers to understand and work with MACC to battle corruption in the country.

“Expectations of the new government and its MPs are high as Malaysians expect us to be effective and clean,” said Fahmi after the briefing.

“We have to lead by example and stem corruption from the top so that the cost of projects is not inflated by superfluous costs.” 

He said MPs and ministers should also visit the MACC in Kuala Lumpur to see how they work and try to complement the anti-graft agency.

Asset declaration and gifts

Fahmi said PH lawmakers are also expected to declare their assets within three months after they are sworn in.

This declaration will be put up on the MACC site, he added.

“We will also provide information about the assets owned by our family members although this second list may not be made public,” said the PKR lawmaker, who declared his assets prior to GE14. 

“This is something already put into practice in the Selangor and Penang state governments,” said Fahmi.

He said the MACC Act does not limit action against lawmakers only but extends to family members. 

Wong said not only the immediate family but their “great-grandchildren” are also not allowed to benefit from any contract.

Additionally, the PH lawmakers will now have to report any gift above RM500, said Wong.

“And if the value is above RM5,000, we need to report it to the prime minister and get his approval,” said Wong.

Fahmi said this is a good start for Malaysia if it is serious about tackling corruption.

“People will eventually find a loophole in the system. But for now, we hope to close some of the existing loopholes and deliver on our promises.” – July 11, 2018.