Barisan Alternatif (BA) leaders should take the lead in declaring their assets and disclose their income tax forms to allow public scrutiny as a measure of ensuring transparency and honesty in the country's leaders, said a BA leader today.

"Let us not forget that our members of parliament and state assembly persons are elected by the people to serve the people. They must be accountable for their income gained and taxes paid," said Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) president Dr Syed Husin Ali in a press statement.

"Their income is not a private matter and it is they, more than anybody else, who must demonstrate public accountability for their finances," he explained.

Syed Husin said under the present Barisan Nasional (BN) ruling coalition, allegations of corruption and abuse of power have contributed to the pervasive cynicism the public now has of the BN administration.

"Under the BN government, public cynicism has grown towards responsibility in office. Over the years, Malaysians have increasingly tolerated bribery, abuse of power and financial impropriety.

"Whether big or small, it (corruption) still damages society. The recent rhetoric and lower level actions against money politics are insufficient. Effective and meaningful change must begin in the elected houses of government," he added.

Syed Husin was referring to Umno's latest attack against corruption, in which six party members accused of practising money politics were taken to task by the party's disciplinary board.

He reasoned that since those in power could abuse their positions to further their own financial gain, full disclosure could deter this practice.

"The practice of taxation and declaration of incomes is founded in law. The people must be assured that the laws are followed so that they can put their trust in public institutions. This makes it a public matter, for standards of integrity and transparency must be demonstrated for all to see.

"Public trust has eroded in Malaysia; this tide must be stopped," he stressed.

Citizens are required to file their taxes annually to the Inland Revenue Board by the end of May.

Six found guilty

Six Umno members were accused last month of using money politics to obtain seats during the ruling party's divisional elections. They were found guilty by Umno's disciplinary board last week.

The six are Gopeng division head Mustafa Kamal Mohd Nawi, its division information chief Mohd Anuar Baharuddi, Baling division head and Kedah state executive committee member Zainol Md Isa, Muar division head Abdullah Omar, candidate for Bagan Serai division head Zaki Din and Selayang information chief Rahmat Abdullah.

Zainol resigned from his post as a state exco member yesterday.

In a Star report today, party deputy president and disciplinary board chairperson Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said that the Umno Supreme Council endorsed the findings and had told the six not to appeal to the council.

The report added that they had been suspended for six years from contesting in any party post.