The Malaysian Insight

THE opposition stood up in concert in Parliament today to show support for Kota Baru MP Takiyuddin Hassan’s refusal to declare his assets.

During the debate, he said the motion carried no power to punish those who did not declare their assets.

The PAS secretary-general noted that the Speaker Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof was reported to have said that he lacked the power to take action against errant MPs who defied the order.

Takiyuddin said even if he were to be referred to the rights and privileges select committee for disciplinary action, it was unclear what it could do to penalise him.

“This is irregular and I therefore move to reject it. I will not declare and will be the first to defy it,” he told the chamber.

He was immediately greeted with hoots of support as the entire opposition bloc rose in support of his statement.

The motion proposed to haul those who fail to declare their assets before the select committee on rights and privileges.

MPs who make false declarations will be subject to prosecution under Section 3, Act 783 (Statutory Declaration) and Section 193 of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term not exceeding three years or a fine.

Earlier Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Liew Vui Keong tabled the motion which he said is based on the principles of accountability and transparency.

He acknowledged that there is currently no law to compel MPs to declare their assets but hoped that everyone would comply.

“The statutory declaration shall be submitted to the Yang di-Pertua within three months of the date  this motion is agreed upon, and copied to the chief commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC),” Liew told the MPs.

“The list of the members of the Dewan Rakyat who have declared their property shall be displayed on the MACC portal, and only the details of the declaration of the property of that member shall be posted on the portal for a period of three months from the date of receipt of the statutory declaration by the MACC.”

Like Takiyuddin, Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar (Santubong-GPS) earlier demanded to know which law could be used to compel MPs to declare their assets.

He asked if such a law had been introduced.

“Have you got the right to ask me to declare?” he said.

He also asked how many times the MP should declare his assets as some were doing business and their fortunes would fluctuate.

The lawyer asked if he would have to make the declaration yearly. – July 1, 2019.