YOURSAY 'A person in public service and appointed to positions of power must be clean, not in the future but in the past as well.'

DAP: Khalid Ibrahim speaks like BN on assets declaration

Aries46: Well said, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng. A person in public service and appointed to positions of power must be clean, not in the future but in the past as well. If he was not clean in the past then he is a tainted leader and does not deserve to be one.

Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid citing "personal security" as a reason sounds as if those with wealth are being victimised.

It is true that the BN ministers and excos are averse to declaring their assets publicly as evidenced by the somewhat regressive stand of Paul Low, the former TI-M (Transparency International-Malaysia) president and minister in the PM's Department.

The reasons for their reluctance are obvious and this is the primary reason for its present unsavoury position as a minority regime.

Khalid's reasons are unconvincing and his stand seems more to protect himself than the others.

He must shed his BN mentality and emulate the ways of the Penang Pakatan Rakyat and do right by the overwhelming majority of Selangorians who voted for him and his coalition.

Ferdtan: If Pakatan wants to take over the federal government they have to do things differently. What is the point of offering lip service on transparency when you cannot walk the talk?

Khalid should have nothing to fear; we know he is rich, very rich. Didn't he mentioned in his mainstream media interview recently that he is now worth a few billions as the worth of his oil palm plantation lands in Indonesia which he had invested many years ago had increased?

If United States President Obama has to declare his assets for holding the public office we don't see why in Selangor, supposedly the beacon of hope in new politics, the excos and the MB cannot do so?

This will be a minus in Khalid's administration if he still insists to go this way.

The Mohican: If you have amassed wealth before, just declare it. There is nothing to be afraid of.

It is corruption while in office, abuse and misuse of power for self-enrichment that will expose you to the charge for corruption. Otherwise, Khalid's half-hearted transparency will be subject to criticism.

Anti-Nepotism: I am not Khalid's supporter but I think we should not be too hard on him for thinking aloud on the issue of declaration of assets.

He is not a seasoned politician and in fact not even a politician. He is more like a chief executive. But I think he is an honest man.

Why not we just adopt the stand that in a democracy it is his right to express his opinion just like we have the right to criticise him when we think he is wrong. He is not God, hence he too can err.

Anonymous #22175361: When you are clean and well-respected by the rakyat, they won't lambast you even if you are a millionaire.

Khalid, your mind is now partially corrupted by BN-Umno and we rakyat are going to get angry with you soon. Go back to the right path or else resign immediately.

Rick Teo: Those with ill-gotten gains have the most to fear. That's why Umno people are scared to death because the wealth they have only proves that they are corrupt.

Well Thats Fantastic: When you become a politician, you should expect all aspects of your life to become public.

If you have been a politician for some time then declaring your assets could be a daunting task, especially if you have managed your business well because many accusations will follow for sure.

Just look at all the BN leaders who may or may not have gained their wealth illegally, they are all far from keen to declare their assets.

Onyourtoes: Here is the tricky part. If declaration of assets is only of those acquired after the appointment, how does this apply to a politician having several appointments over his/her career?

So just change a few positions, all the wealth amassed can be nicely hidden away.

Anyway Guan Eng, I think most Malaysians would probably appreciate what you are doing. You and your colleagues are comfortable doing it may be because there was not much to declare.

Others may be a little apprehensive. I guess sometimes we have to move two steps forward and one step back just to provide some leeway to others.

I am no longer ambitious to see watershed changes happening in this country. We are indeed a handicapped nation.

OMG!!: Declare or not declare seriously makes no difference. They can always use nominees to hide their ill-gotten wealth. Anybody ever wonders who are the real bosses behind some of the rag-to-riches personalities that rise like a phoenix from the ashes?

Bash: I humbly disagree with OMG's comments. One must be seen to doing the right thing and lead by example. Those are our expectations from elected leaders, and there should be no ‘sandiwara'.

Anonymous_5fb: It's very obvious why MB Khalid came up with such a rule on assets declaration. He himself is rich enough, wealth which he had made during his corporate life, and he doesn't need to be MB, to be richer.

He has made known to us that the purpose of being in politics is to serve our country, some sort of giving back to the society. So for him to declare his assets in full could be seen as unfair. If I were him, I wouldn't do that as well.

FellowMalaysian: Though it is by means not the only way to gain the trust and confidence of the people, declaring of assets by the state executive councillors is seen as a noble and highly respected way of displaying a person's stand, faith and commitment towards the value of integrity, accountability and transparency.

This should be seen as an important initial pre-requisite of members in a political party before they assume public posts. DAP is fully aware that confidence and respect from the people could only be earned by someone who upholds such principals and value himself.

MatrixLYN: When Arnold Schwarzenegger took office as governor of California. he made a declaration of his assets. He is famous worldwide and everyone knows his face and wealth.

So far, he hasn't been kidnapped yet. Surely our politicians can't be richer than him.

Wira: Those who refuse to declare should stand down and keep their millions. Khalid, you have been doing the right things for Selangor. Don't let one unprincipled but critical thought and decision destroy you.

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