Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) has urged Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, his ministers and heads of public institutions to declare their assets to MACC.

TI-M president Akbhar Satar said this should also extend to spouses and family members.

As for MACC's chief commissioner and deputy commissioners, he said these persons should declare their assets to the Parliament instead.

“Such steps would raise the confidence and encourage others, above and below, to publicly disclose and declare their assets,” he added in a media statement this afternoon.

Akhbar said the previous practice was for cabinet members to declare their assets to the prime minister whereas heads of ministries and departments, including the attorney-general, chief justice, inspector-general of police, commander-in-chief of the army and the highest member in the civil service, are to declare their assets to the chief secretary of the government.

“The declaration of assets should be done before and after the holding of a position in the office, with net value analysis conducted periodically - advisable to do it once a year.

“In this context, MACC has professional forensic accountants and investigators who can monitor and take firm action against those who fail to abide by the principles,” Akhbar added.

In the Philippines, he pointed out, the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism has placed the property declaration of congress members of the cabinet and their respective spouses online.

Similarly, in Thailand, he said, the National Counter Corruption Commission had gazetted the asset declaration of senior government officials and their respective spouses.

“The practice of asset declaration can deter abuses of power by preventing conflict of interest and detecting misappropriation of public funds. It can further prevent cases of false accusations.

“Clarifying the origins of the gained personal wealth can moreover increase the people's trust in political institutions and the civil service.

“We believe that the public declaration of assets would not bring about any harm as perceived by many, as the names of the top 10 richest people in Malaysia are often publicised on the media and none of them has faced any trouble for declaring their wealth,” he added.