The Malaysian Insight

A WAR of words erupted between DAP’s Taiping MP Nga Kor Ming and BN’s Kota Belud MP Abdul Rahman Dahlan this morning over a call made for Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to resign to aid Malaysia’s ranking in the World Competitiveness Index.

The fight started when Nga, in an additional question to the prime minister, said the country’s corruption perception was getting worse.

He cited the Corruption Perceptions Index, which saw Malaysia dropping a spot further this year, and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) deputy chief commissioner Mohd Azam Baki, who had said instances of corruption were more rampant today compared with 10 years ago.

“Is the government willing to lead by example? Is the Cabinet willing to declare their assets and ensure that MACC is a truly independent body, free from (the influence of) the Prime Minister’s Department?”

Rahman, in his response, admitted that the country’s corruption perception was worsening.

“This is because the Penang chief minister was charged (for corruption), and this is a perception.

“There is corruption… (as evidenced by) the Penang chief minister (being) charged in court.

“If you want to help the government improve the index, ask the Penang chief minister to resign.”

Nga shot back, “Then, what about MO1?”, leading to chaos in the House.

BN’s Pendang MP Othman Abdul stood up and shouted “Bodoh!” (stupid) at Nga.

“Stupid! MO1 has yet to be charged!”

Last year, Rahman confirmed that MO1 was Najib Razak, but argued that since the prime minister was not mentioned in the United States Department of Justice (DoJ) civil suits, he was not being investigated.

Deputy Speaker Ismail Mohamed Said stepped in to ease the situation, reminding everyone that today was the last day of this session’s parliamentary sitting, with the next session to resume in October.

Rahman said his response was based on facts, as the question was on the worsening of Malaysia’s corruption perception.

“The DAP secretary-general (Lim) was charged with corruption. That’s a fact.”

Nga said Rahman had diverted from the topic and did not answer the question on whether ministers were willing to declare their assets.

Rahman said ministers should not declare their assets only to the prime minister, but also have such records accessible to MACC.

“In Penang and Selangor, for example, they have made asset declarations, but this does not mean corruption does not happen. It’s not the best indicator.

“Because if he is corrupt in Penang, he can place his assets under his wife or child’s name, or cronies and proxies.

“Public declarations (of assets) do not (necessarily) make a particular state better in dealing with corruption. That’s our opinion.”

He said the government had a good system in place and had asked MACC to look into all assets declared by ministers.

“If there is an obvious increase in assets, MACC can move in to investigate without having to ask the prime minister. The agency is independent.” – August 10, 2017.