Asset declaration directive proof of transparency in govt

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's directive for all members of the government administration including ministers, deputy ministers and political secretaries to declare their assets shows the transparency of the current government leadership, says Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) deputy chief commissioner (Prevention) Datuk Shamshun Baharin Mohd Jamil.
He said the move was also important to ensure politicians did not get involved with corruption and abuse of power during their tenure.
"In fact, we have already made a proposal on the declaration of assets prior to this, and we will present it to the government in the near future.
"The mechanism (to declare assets) will be decided by the government and from our side (MACC), we will soon table a proposal regarding the declaration of assets by politicians," he said when appearing as a guest on the Bernama News Channel talk show "Ruang Bicara".
Shamshun Baharin said the mechanism would also take into account the security aspect of politicians and their families after making the declaration.
Earlier this month, Mahathir announced that all members of the administration including ministers, deputy ministers and political secretaries would have to declare their assets to the prime minister.
Meanwhile, Shamshun Baharin said the MACC had arrested 4,054 individuals from 2013 to May this year. Of the total, 1,808 were civil servants, members of the public (1,425) and private sector employees and politicians (821).
"To ensure that the corruption issue continues to be addressed, the cooperation of all parties from all levels including students, civil servants, private sector employees and the public is necessary," he said.
Shamshun Baharin said the MACC in collaboration with the Teachers' Training Institute Corruption Prevention Secretariat would also be holding the "Walk Stop Talk: Six Hour Quarter Million Messages" programme on July 7 at various locations nationwide to collect 250,000 signatures from the public to express support for the fight against corruption with the MACC.
"The closing ceremony of this six-hour programme is expected to be officiated by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and the feat will be recorded in the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR)," he said. — Bernama