PM: Barisan MPs to declare assets every two years
BY MERGAWATI ZULFAKAR AND NICK LEONGPUTRAJAYA: Barisan Nasional MPs will have to declare their assets every two years and submit their work progress every three months in a code of ethics to be introduced for them soon.
It is understood that, under the code, the attendance of the MPs at Parliament sessions will be recorded and submitted to the Prime Minister.
Previously, only ministers and state exco members needed to declare their assets.
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi recently said he wanted a code of ethics and a key performance index to ensure elected representatives fulfilled their duties and responsibilities to the people.
During the first Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Abdullah spent two hours briefing his ministers on the do's and don’ts, including telling them to abide by his directive to create a clean and responsible Government.
It is learnt that the draft of the code prepared by the Prime Minister’s Office was approved by the Cabinet and its details will be announced later.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and leaders of Barisan Nasional component parties would monitor the performance of the elected representatives.
“We are devising a report card system in which Barisan MPs and state assemblymen will have their report cards examined every three months.
“They will be responsible for any actions they take, or their lack of action,” he said after visiting the Asia Water Expo and Forum at Mines Resort here yesterday.
Najib said that elected representatives would be guided by the code of ethics.
“The code includes what they can do, and cannot do, like bringing the party and the Government into disrepute, abuse of power, corruption and criminal activities,” he said.
He said the code, which is being implemented in the administrative sector of the Government, was being extended to elected representatives.
At another function, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Radzi Sheikh Ahmad said the Prime Minister’s message was very clear and everyone would have to toe the line or bear the consequences.
Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said he believed the code was a right step.
He added that he was confident all Barisan MPs would abide by the code.
Radzi and Rais were speaking to reporters after a ceremony to hand over duties to the new Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department.
In Ipoh, DAP chaiman Lim Kit Siang said in a statement that the new Cabinet members must volunteer to declare their assets and those of their next-of-kin to support the Prime Minister’s call for a new culture of political integrity with zero-tolerance for corruption.
News Poll
- Court ruling takes bite out of local council summonses
- Chin Peng apologises for death of innocents
- Girl and stepmum held over bid to kill first wife
- New evidence on MCA snoop squad case arrives at doorstep
- Biggest karaoke session a blast
- Teoh’s body exhumed for second autopsy today
- Victim’s dad nabs kidnapper
- Foreigner falls to her death from condominium
- Puad faces flak over ‘use Bahasa only’ remark
- Big impact in ‘small’ man’s win
- Court ruling takes bite out of local council summonses
- Big impact in ‘small’ man’s win
- No licence to try offenders
- Johor set to be a medical hub
- Joy for 2,500 housebuyers as SPNB takes over project
- Malaysians must get regular dental checks
- RM849mil owed by various state agencies
- Indonesia seizes ammonium nitrate shipment from Malaysia
- Puad faces flak over ‘use Bahasa only’ remark
- Heading in the right direction
RSS
