Three parties' candidates declare assets so far, Harapan parties differ

GE15 | So far, three parties have taken steps to publish the asset declarations of more than 70 electoral candidates - unprecedented in previous general elections.

In previous polls, only PSM candidates have done so but this time, most of PKR’s candidates have also done so, with Muda following suit yesterday when its president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman declared his assets of RM1.91 million, adding that other candidates will do so soon.

This has set the agenda for the campaign period, with many parties forced to state their stand on asset declarations.

Harapan parties differ

Interestingly, PKR’s partners in Pakatan Harapan have taken a different stand.

Although he declared his own assets of RM2.45 million yesterday, Amanah vice-president Mujahid Yusof Rawa said the party leaves it to its candidates to decide on this.

He said all candidates have declared their assets to the party.

DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke, meanwhile, said DAP candidates only have to make public asset declarations if they win in the polls.

PN, BN say it’s unneccesary

Over at Perikatan Nasional (PN), PAS had said the move is unnecessary as it could lead to negative implications.

The party’s vice-president, Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah, quipped that the party’s leaders are not wealthy and are thus embarrassed to declare what little they have.

Its PN partner, Bersatu, shares the same stand.

Bersatu supreme council member Azmin Ali dismissed asset declarations for candidates as “sandiwara”.

BN’s Sungai Buloh candidate Khairy Jamaluddin also said it is unnecessary for candidates to declare assets publicly, and this only needs to be done if one is appointed to public office.

MIC, Gerakan, Warisan, PBM, Pejuang and other Gerakan Tanah Air partners, PRM, and Sarawak parties have thus far held their tongue on the matter.

When asked at a press conference on the Kelana Jaya LRT line breakdown today, MCA president and Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong declined to state his party's stand.

"No, no, no, I will not talk about the election (at this press conference).

"Every politician can campaign and if they wish to do it, then by all means do it," he said.

Keeping elected representatives accountable

Earlier, PSM chairperson Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj said the party pioneered the move in Malaysia several elections earlier to ensure accountability.

He said by declaring their assets before the polls, elected representatives can be quizzed by the public if their wealth seemingly grows unreasonably once elected.

Asset declarations for MPs were also a reform brought in by Pakatan Harapan during its short stint in power, although it was also criticised as poorly executed.

Still, the 2018 declarations have been dredged up to make comparisons to the latest round made by candidates.

On social media, some have questioned how Syed Saddiq, 29, grew his net assets from RM723,312.75 when elected in 2018 to RM1.91 million yesterday.

The assets include two real estate properties bought on loan.

Syed Saddiq, who was youth and sports minister for 22 months, is facing corruption charges involving RM1.12 million of party funds when he was Bersatu Youth chief.

PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli is also under investigation by the MACC after an NGO lodged a report about his assets worth RM18.85 million, most of which are shares in a data analytics company he founded, Invoke.

He is under fire for allegedly amassing wealth through public donations to the not-for-profit company, but he explained all donations were spent during the GE14 campaign, after which Invoke became a profitable commercial entity and its shares were sold to investors.

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