The DAP will gather all its MPs to sign the election integrity pledge launched by anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International-Malaysia (TI-M) to demonstrate its commitment to integrity and transparency.

NONE "Yes, I'm organising all DAP MPs together rather than one by one," said DAP national publicity secretary and Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua ( left) when asked about the pledge.

Other DAP MPs , including Teo Nie Ching (Serdang), M Kulasegaran (Ipoh Barat), Nga Kor Ming (Taiping), Lim Lip Eng (Segambut) and Ngeh Koo Ham (Beruas), also told Malaysiakini that they concur and are prepared to ink the pledge.

However, both Azmin Ali (Gombak) and Salahuddin Ayub (Kubang Kerian), parliamentary whips for PKR and PAS respectively, have yet to reply.

As for the other side of the political divide, TI-M president Paul Low, who has been lobbying them to support the initiative, explained that BN MPs were reluctant as they do not want to be perceived to be seen as proclaiming themselves candidates for the coming general election.

Presumption a no, no for some

"They may think that signing it means they will be selected as candidates. They think it is sensitive. But actually it is more a political pledge than a candidate's pledge.

NONE "We need to get through this type of mindset, but I believe more will come forward," Low (right ) said when contacted recently.

Shahrir Samad (Umno-Johor Baru) is one of those who will sign it when nominated by their parties.

"Don't you think it is a bit premature to sign the pledge. (I) will sign it when confirmed as candidate," he told Malaysiakini in a text message.

Low also revealed that some MPs prefer to have their parties' endorsement before endorsing the pledge although IT-M had made it clear that it is a non-partisan individual commitment.

MCA vice-president and Senator Gan Ping Sieu, who is likely to stand in the general election, said he is ready to sign such pledge so long as there is no political agenda behind it.

Justified manipulation paranoia

"I definitely agree with election integrity pledge. If there is no political manipulation, I will sign.

"But I have to read the contents first, this is my occupational disease," quipped the lawyer-turned-politician.

Former minister Zaid Ibrahim, who had announced his intention to go for the Kota Bharu parliamentary seat on a Parti Kita ticket, said he needs to check the pledge first.

To date, only four MP S - two from BN and two from the opposition - have signed the pact.

The four out of 222 MP are Saifuddin Abdullah (BN-Temerloh), Khairy Jamaluddin (BN-Rembau), Nurul Izzah Anwar (PKR-Lembah Pantai) and Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj (PSM-Sungai Siput).

The pledge , launched last month, is a non-binding 'social contract' for candidates in the coming general election.

It requires signatories likely to be election candidates to turn their backs on bribe-taking and money politics during their electoral campaign and once voted into office.

Although the contract will not be enforced by any authority, the signatories must open a social media account - either Facebook's or Twitter's - to allow direct communications with voters who will monitor and provide feedback on the candidates's conduct.

TI-M has set up a website, timalaysia- electionpledge.org.my , publishing the details of all the signatories.