Extending the deadline to declare their assets does not mean that Barisan Nasional (BN) parliamentarians will be exempted from doing so, said Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today.

He said the MPs had requested for the extension as this was the first time it is being implemented and may of them are unfamiliar with the process.

"They are seeking an extension. This is the first time and as such (they are) unsure as how to go about it," he was quoted as saying by Bernama.

Abdullah was asked to comment on newspaper reports today quoting Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Aziz as saying that many BN MPs have failed to declare their assets before the deadline expired on May 31.

However, the premier clarified that an extension of the deadline did not mean that BN MPs would be fully exempted. "They did not seek an exemption," he said.

New faces

Nazri was reported to have said, among others, that not having experience in doing so was the main factor for the BN MPs, who are mostly new faces, having failed to declare their assets.

In fact, he said, many of them were ignorant as to how to value their assets.

The directive to declare their assets was issued by Abdullah last April as a requirement under the Code of Ethics for BN MPs.

The declaration must be done every two years and the assets of their family members must also be included.

Abdullah, who took over the premiership from Dr Mahathir Mohamad last November, has declared a war on corruption and pledged a transparent government.

Since the premier assumed office, several high profile figures, including a minister, have been dragged to court over corruption charges.

However, detractors have urged him to net the 'big fishes' to prove his commitment.