Assets declaration good move to ensure a transparent GE15

PETALING JAYA - Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) and the Malaysian Association of Certified Fraud Inspection (ACFE) urge all candidates contesting in the 15th General Election (GE15) to declare their assets to the public.

It was to prevent candidates from being subjected to accusations and false accusations in the event of winning and being appointed as a representative of the shelf.

The insistence was also important to make GE15 more truthful with no malpractices in the administration.

TI-M President Dr Muhammad Mohan said the assets declaration before polling day on November 19 would prove the candidates were truly sincere, transparent and did not hide anything from the people.

He said there was no point if only a few candidates declared property but others refused to do so on the grounds that it was not compulsory.

"If they're sincere, tell them in general. What is it to be afraid of other than the assets they collect including money sourced illegally?

"People are not interested in hearing candidates including ministers that they have declared assets to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

“The people will give mandate to the candidates, not the MACC.

"People should reject leaders who are not willing to declare their property," he told Sinar Harian on Monday.

Meanwhile, ACFE President Datuk Seri Akhbar Satar said candidates should not be afraid to declare assets if they did nothing wrong.

He said the declaration was also to increase public trust.

"The declaration does not pose any danger as claimed by certain parties as the list of the 10 richest people in Malaysia whose names are published annually in the media also does not have any problems unless they have hidden motives.

"Politicians need to be brave enough to admit to having a lot of wealth and that wealth should be harnessed to help the well-being of the people who elected him as a delegate," he said.