Responding to critics who called on ministers to declare their assets, Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the Malaysian Anti- Corruption Commission (MACC) is aware of their wealth.

"I have seen the comments made in response to my comments, they conveniently excluded the fact that we do not only declare our assets to the prime minister but also to MACC.

"The MACC have our files to scrutinise our wealth. If they see we are living beyond our means, should that be so, action should be taken against us," he told a press conference.

The spotlight fell on ministers after PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli took up a challenge from Umno and publicly declared his assets, income and expenditure.

Following this, Khairy brushed aside the need for ministers to declare their assets publicly, stating that the prime minister and MACC are already aware of the information.

He added that the declaration to the MACC is a proactive measure on the part of the government and was not previously practised.

Despite Pakatan Rakyat's push for transparency, its own state governments too have not publicly declared their assets.

However, following Rafizi's lead, Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali said his government will publicly declare their assets soon.

The state cabinet of Selangor and Penang have been publicly declaring their assets since 2012.

The asset declaration issue surfaced amidst questions surrounding Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s wealth and his family’s lavish lifestyle.