Spouses, children of MPs to declare assets under parliamentary motion.
Members of Parliament are to declare their assets through a statutory declaration submitted to the Dewan Rakyat speaker with a copy to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner, according to a motion to be tabled on Monday.
Federal lawmakers, including senators, must also declare the assets of their spouses, children and trustees, stated the motion that is detailed in the order paper for Monday’s sitting available on the Parliament website.
Members of Parliament who refuse to declare their assets, should Dewan Rakyat endorse a motion making it compulsory, will find themselves facing disciplinary action, said Liew Vui Keong.
The de facto law minister said they will be in contempt of the house and will be referred to the parliamentary Rights and Privileges committee chaired by the Dewan Rakyat speaker.
“It (non-declaration of assets) can be in contempt of Parliament, the speaker can then refer the MP to the Rights and Privileges committee to find out the reason of non-declaration and to punish them accordingly,” he told reporters today.
The Rights and Privileges Committee handles all disciplinary matters relating to the members of Parliament and has the power to punish errant lawmakers.
He said that as there are no set laws and SOP’s for this motion, punishments will be meted out by the speaker of the house.
“If they don’t declare, the Rights and Privileges committee will hear them out and listen to their reasoning.
“After hearing their submission, they will then decide to punish or advice the MP in question,” he said.
He also said that once the motion is passed, the time period for MPs to declare their assets will be three months.
When asked why they are given three months, Liew said that this is standard operating procedure.
The names of MPs who declare their assets will be displayed on the MACC’s asset declaration website.
Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad on Thursday said the motion would be tabled to ensure that lawmakers would not abuse their positions to enrich themselves.
There is currently nothing compelling lawmakers to declare their assets, although they and members of the administration are urged to do so with the anti-graft authorities.
This will mark the first time such a motion is proposed.
Currently, only Pakatan Harapan MPs have declared their assets to the MACC while the opposition members have not.