MyGovt Reform Tracker

Asset Declaration

The National Anti-Corruption Plan (NACP) had prioritised the introduction of a proper asset declaration system for Members of the Administration and Members of Parliament (MPs), with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Asset Declaration Portal launched in November 2018 under the Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration. The formation of such a law can only aid transparency and integrity in administration and management, and in detecting abuse of public office or illicit enrichment. 

While a unanimous decision was made by Dewan Rakyat to compel all MPs to declare their assets, including those of their spouses, children, and trustees, asset declaration is not yet legally mandatory, and the issue is not helped by how the lawmakers of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration are resistant to asset declaration.

The formation of a law making the declaration of assets mandatory can only improve the principles of transparency and accountability, while fulfilling Malaysia’s obligations under the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), which Malaysia ratified on the 24th of September, 2008. The lack of such a law renders MACC merely a custodian, rather than an enforcement body, in the case of assets declaration forms handed to it.

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