The 'Nato syndrome' (no action, talk only) may be a term used to describe some Malaysian politicians, but one party's election candidates have moved to dispel doubts in their case by publicly declaring their assets and offering to be held accountable for campaign pledges.

Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) is sending four representatives to Sunday's polls, albeit under the Keadilan banner because it has yet to be registered.

All of them disclosed ownership of their main assets prior to nomination day last Saturday:

  • Dr Mohd Nasir Hashim (Subang parliamentary seat), a medical doctor, said he owns no property and survives on a monthly income of about RM2,500.

  • Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj (Sungai Siput parliamentary seat, photo) a specialist in a private hospital, declared ownership of a semi-detached house in Ipoh worth RM120,000, a Mazda 626 (RM20,000), a Volkswagen 1200 (RM10,000), shares (RM12,000) and bank savings of about RM10,000.

  • P Selvam (Bukit Lanjan state seat), declared a Suzuki ERV worth RM50,000 and a monthly income of about RM1,200.

  • K Kunasekaran (Jalong state seat) listed a RM50,000 house in Sungai Siput and a Kancil worth about RM15,000.

Progress report

In addition, the candidates are signing a direct pledge (akujanji) with constituents, offering to be held accountable for promises made during the campaign period.

Nasir and Selvam (left in photo) signed their first akujanji with residents in Kampung Kayu Ara on Monday. They will present a progress report to residents every six months.

The candidates said they would champion the rights of workers, monitor privatisation projects, campaign for more comfortable low-cost housing, combat corruption, promote harmony and stop environmental damage.

More importantly, there will be avenues for community members to act if a candidate reneges on the pledge.

They can complain to the media, lodge a police report alleging fraud, file a civil suit against the candidate and scrutinise unreasonable increases in assets before lodging a report with the Anti-Corruption Agency.

Alternatively, residents who are party to the 'akujanji' can complain to the PSM disciplinary bureau for further investigation and action.

Contacted today, Nasir (left in photo) said candidates in other parties may have declared their assets to their respective leaders, but that he does not remember any who have done so publicly.

"We will never know if such declarations are made because party leaders would surely not reveal anything. We will also not know if any action is taken," he said.

"As for us, we believe in opening up to the public. There is nothing to hide."

He said the party believes in pioneering grassroots efforts and that the declaration is important to gain the people's confidence in its candidates.

So far, there have been no reports of other political parties requiring their candidates to publicly declare their assets.