Public expectations of politicians to have ample funds for distribution is a factor that contributes to corruption, Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) central committee member Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj said today.

Citing his own experiences as a two-term Sungai Siput MP, Jeyakumar told a press conference at the party's headquarters in Kuala Lumpur that the people expect politicians to "act like Santa Claus", to constantly have funds for distribution.

Among others, Jeyakumar said, he had been approached for donations for an old boys association fund raising dinner, to which he contributed RM300 - but they requested for more.

"I asked them, 'do you want me to be clean or not?," he recalled.

"You want your YB to be Santa Claus, a feudal lord giving away money... But at the same time you want your YB to be clean. It doesn't jive," he stressed, adding that the role of politicians goes beyond just providing cash handouts or immediate assistance.

When such expectations were not forthcoming, Jeyakumar pointed out, politicians would be less inclined to give away cash handouts and instead focus on policies that would benefit more people.

He earlier declared his own assets, income and expenditures for this year, an annual practice that he started when first elected as an MP in 2008.

Among others, Jeyakumar said, almost two-thirds of the RM216,000 earned from his salary and allowances as an MP was distributed back to his constituency for expenditures, totalling RM285,236.

The shortfall was covered by donations, book sales, a fund raising dinner and arrears from a raise to his salary, he added.

"Luckily my pay went up, so I don't need to beg so much from friends," he quipped.

All ordinary MPs currently earn RM16,000 a month, up from the previous salary of RM12,950. They also receive allowances that raise their current total monthly income to RM25,500.

In terms of assets, Jeyakumar said he currently maintains five cars at home, including a Kancil, a gift from his mother, and a Toyota Vios, which was a present from his uncle.

'Democracy needs money'

Asked to respond to the call by Transparency International-Malaysia president Akhbar Satar for the prime minister, cabinet members and heads of key institutions to declare their assets to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, Jeyakumar said it would be a good first step, and it should move towards implementing a public financing system for political parties.

This, he said, was because it is undeniable that politicians require funds to carry out their duties and opposition politicians, in particular, are denied constituency allocations provided to the BN lawmakers.

"The political process itself breeds corruption in our country. Democracy needs money.

"If you (the government) don't give money, then they (political parties) will have to find their own money," he said when asked to comment on the commitment shown by BN and Pakatan Harapan parties in addressing issues of corruption within their own ranks.

Among the cases cited were the former Umno Johor executive councillor Abdul Latiff Bandi's RM30 million land scandal corruption charge and PKR Ampang Youth chief Adam Rosly's graft charges after allegedly lying about his wealth.