Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohamed Nazri Aziz said that he would be following in the footsteps of Prime Minister Najib Razak to sign the Transparency International's (TI) Election Integrity Pledge.

NONE "When the time comes, I will sign to affirm that I am not involved in corruption, crime, and have no debt with the government," he told reporters after attending a Chinese New Year Open House and launching the Cameron Highlands express bus service at Terminal Amanjaya in Ipoh today.

He also expressed confident that all candidates contesting the 13th general election would sign the integrity pledge.

Najib signed the integrity pledge on Wednesday, declaring to uphold integrity and strengthen commitment to fighting corruption especially in the general election.

TI's Election Integrity Pledge is a voluntary social contract with election candidates to promote integrity, good governance, transparency, accountability in government and uphold rule of law.

Candidates who sign the pledge agree to comply with the Election Offences Act 1954 and its regulations, and to ensure that their action is for the benefit of the public and not for private gain.

Opposition slammed

Nazri said opposition leaders who refused to sign the integrity pledge are scared and have something to hide.

"If they don't want to sign, this means that their pledge is not the same as what they are doing. Only scared people are afraid and give various reasons for not signing," he said.    

He slammed PAS spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat who said that he would not do so because what is in the heart is more important than signing the pledge.

"When he (Nik Aziz) was appointed as the menteri besar, he was sworn in before the sultan. He should have told the sultan it was unnecessary to sign as what is important is in the heart. This is all empty talk, just politics.

On another note, Nazri said the three ministers from Perak did not want to become the menteri besar but wanted to remain as a cabinet minister.

"I, Datuk Seri Zahid and Datuk Seri Husni are ministers. We don't want to be demoted to menteri besar and hope the Prime Minister will continue to appoint us to the cabinet."

He said they will continue to support Zambry Abdul Kadir to remain as the menteri besar of Perak.

- Bernama