Institutionalise asset declaration
Two DAP grasroots leaders want the state government to amend the state constitution to ensure that assets are declared on a yearly basis.
However, local DAP grassroots leaders believe Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s government should move a step ahead by institutionalising the requirement for yearly asset declaration by all political representatives holding public offices in Penang.
Penang Tanjung DAP parliamentary division’s DAP Youth vice-chairman S Sukumar suggested that the Pakatan Rakyat state government should amend the state constitution in the next State Legislative Assembly session to regulate it.
He said the new constitutional provisions should legally require all executive councillors, assemblymen, parliamentarians and councillors in Penang to declare their assets before and after assuming public office on an annual basis.
“Pakatan has the two-third majority to amend the constitution to regulate the declaration.
“This would compel all current and future representatives, notwithstanding which political parties they represent, to declare their assets.
“This would be a progressive step towards developing good governance,” Sukumar told FMT.
In supporting the call, DAP’s Bagan Luar branch head G Asoghan said many voters have asked whether wives, nearest family members and political aides of elected representatives would also declare their assets.
He said the public would like to know whether people close with these representatives have received state contracts.
Political integrity
Asoghan said laymen, although they welcomed the exco asset declaration, felt that Lim’s government should improve on it.
“The people believe that the Penang government should lead the way for other states to follow suit.
“In the long run, they believe it would improve corrupt-less good governance based on integrity, honesty and sincerity,” Asoghan told FMT.
Last Thursday, Penang executive councillors publicly declared their assets, fulfilling a pledge by the Pakatan government to be accountable to the people.
Asoghan and Sukumar also called on the state government to officially unveil names of all political nominees appointed and employed in government-linked companies (GLCs) and statutory bodies in Penang.
They said voters want to know whether family members of elected representatives have been among the appointees.
They said political integrity was not only about asset declaration, but also about cronyism and nepotism.
“Hence, the state government should be transparent in publicly unveiling all political appointments made for the past four years. This is in line with the CAT government theme based on competency, accountability and transparency,” the duo said.
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