Bandar Kuching MP Chong Chieng Jen has challenged Kuching City South Mayor Chan Seng Khai to publish the names of councillors and their close relatives involved in council projects for the past 10 years.

Chong, who is also state DAP deputy chief, wants to know if these individuals were contractors or consultants in these projects, the names of the projects and the respective quantum involved.

The first-term MP said that Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department M Kayveas allegation that Malaysia's slip in the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index (CPI) can be attributed to malpractices among local authorities, was unfair to Kuching City South councillors, and that Chan should come up with a list of names to clear those who are innocent.

Ten times worse

According to Chong, given the whip system utilised by the BN, matters relating to the severity of corruption would normally be understated by its members.

"As such, a statement like this from Kayveas reflects the gravity of the problem. The reality could be ten times worse than what he said," said Chong.

Chong said concerned citizens should not waver from their determination to fight graft and suggested that the public could cultivate the culture of transparency in the award of council projects by publishing the lists.

"(This will allow) the public to know how much personal interests the councillors had in council projects over the years and how public funds are spent," he said in a statement.

He urged the mayor to take the lead in the fight against graft by starting from the department under his charge.