Defiant opposition lawmakers vow not to declare assets
PARLIAMENT | The government has no basis to compel lawmakers to declare their assets and those of their family members, say opposition MPs.
PAS Kubang Kerian MP Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said that lawmakers from his party would reject the motion as it had no legal basis...
UPDATED 4.19PM | Gov't is tabling a motion to compel all lawmakers to declare their income and assets to MACC.
PARLIAMENT | The government has no basis to compel lawmakers to declare their assets and those of their family members, say opposition MPs.
PAS Kubang Kerian MP Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said that lawmakers from his party would reject the motion as it had no legal basis.
Speaking to reporters in the Parliament lobby, Tuan Ibrahim also took issue with the motion extending to the assets of immediate family members.
When tabling the motion today, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Liew Vui Keong said it would also apply to MPs' spouses, children aged 21 and below, as well as relevant trustees.
Tuan Ibrahim also claimed that this could put lawmakers' family members in danger.
"Involving one's wife and children, if we look at Islam, the Prophet teaches (hadith Nabi) that when God gives you possessions, do not declare it to the public as others will be envious.
"The question of the safety of the assets and individuals when we declare (assets) must be taken into account," he said.
Read more: MPs can be jailed for giving false information on asset declaration
During the debate on the motion, opposition lawmakers openly pledged that they would not follow such a ruling if it is enforced.
This came after Takiyuddin Hassan (PAS-Kota Bharu) pledged that he would not declare his assets even if the motion is passed.
Takiyuddin (photo) cited a report quoting Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad who said that members of the opposition must also make asset declarations as they have the power to criticise the government.
"When this motion comes into force, I pledge that I will be the first (lawmaker) not to declare my assets," he said.
Shahidan Kassim (BN-Arau) then stood up and pledged: "I am the second person."
This led to many other lawmakers standing up in agreement with the PAS leader.
Takiyuddin also cited a news report in which Dewan Rakyat speaker Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof stated that he has no right to punish lawmakers who decline to declare their assets.
'Good intention, wrong method'
Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar (GPS-Santubong), meanwhile, pointed out the government has no legal basis to bring the motion.
He also argued that the Parliamentary Standing Orders were also silent on the matter.
Azalina Othman Said (BN-Pengerang) concurred with Wan Junaidi, and urged the government to retract the motion.
Azalina (photo) said that the opposition was not opposing the intention of the motion, only its method.
"We want to help the government...
“Wrong motion, good intention, wrong method. That is all," she said.
"If you want to do this, retract the motion, create a new bill, or amend the MACC Act 2009.
"Then we debate again and only then can action be taken against MPs who do not comply... How do you expect us to support an illegal motion?"
Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (BN-Pasir Salak), meanwhile, argued that opposition lawmakers cannot possibly be involved in any abuses of power as they have no power to abuse.
He also questioned the need for MACC to publish MPs' assets on its website.
"What is the need? This concerns the basic rights of a person," he said.
