Zahid: Asset declaration mandatory, compliance not an issue

KUALA LUMPUR: The declaration of assets is mandatory for all civil administration members and adhering to this requirement should not pose a major issue, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Zahid, who is also the rural and regional development minister, said the declaration of assets is enforced under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009. "I believe compliance with this requirement does not pose a significant issue," he told reporters after visiting Media Prima Bhd today.

He said this in response to Malaysian Corruption Watch (MCW), which urged the government to promptly implement the declaration of assets for all members of the government, including ministers, deputy ministers, and political secretaries, without further delay.

Its president Jais Abdul Karim in a statement yesterday said the Cabinet Special Committee on Anti-Corruption meeting on July 6, 2023, agreed that asset declaration by members of the administration should be enforced again.

However, to date, its implementation has yet to be finalised.

Jais said MCW viewed the delay seriously as it gives the impression that the government is not committed to ensuring transparency and integrity in its administration.

"Asset declaration is a fundamental step in ensuring the accountability of leaders and preventing abuse of power and the accumulation of suspicious wealth," he said.

On Jan 8 last year, the Prime Minister's Office, in a statement, said the National Governance Cabinet Special Committee is planning a new format for members of parliament and other government officeholders to declare their assets.

had been finalised and would soon be presented to the cabinet for further consideration.

On June 4, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman however said the format yet to be finalised.

to the cabinet 'soon'.