Parti Keadilan Rakyat (Keadilan) president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail has proposed that a mandatory declaration of assets by elected representatives be effected through a new parliamentary ruling.

She said this would be in line with Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's pledge to combat corruption and to promote transparent governance.

"Such a ruling would be supportive of Abdullah's anti-corruption drive," she said when contacted today, adding that she was prepared to make her declaration once the ruling was enforced.

Abdullah announced early this month that BN representatives would have to declare their assets every two years to their state BN chairperson and with a copy to him.

However, this has since been criticised as a pointless exercise because the declarations will not be made public. The country's main political parties have since been challenging one another to 'go public' with their declarations.

Wan Azizah, who is Keadilan's sole member of parliament, said the debate could end if Abdullah moves a motion in the Dewan Rakyat at its new sitting from May 17, proposing that all members declare their assets to the public.

"If Abdullah makes the call, BN MPs should support it and respond by endorsing the motion," she said.

"When this is accepted as a parliamentary ruling, every MP will have to declare his or her assets."

A motion can be moved under the Standing Order on grounds that the issue is "specific, of public interest and urgent". If endorsed by the majority, it will be passed.

DAP 'still waiting'

Asked if she would move the motion herself, Wan Azizah replied: "For sure we are planning to do that, but it would be better for the other side (government) to do so, since our motions are always rejected."

She said a public declaration of assets is essential to clean up BN's image which has been "tarnished with various allegations of corruption and irregularities".

Meanwhile, DAP is still waiting for a response from Deputy Tourism Minister Zahid Hamidi as to whether BN leaders are willing to make public their assets declaration within two weeks of DAP representatives doing so.

DAP chief and Ipoh Timor MP Lim Kit Siang had been involved in an argument with Zahid Hamidi as to which side should declare their assets first.

When contacted, Lim said his party is still waiting for Zahid's reply.

On Wan Azizah's proposal, he said there is a need to first obtain consensus from parliamentarians on the motion.

"We should get the consensus of all the MPs to publicly declare their assets, as well as that of their next-of-kin," he added.