All BN candidates have been vetted by the MACC, says Zulhasnan, so there is no need for asset declaration.
TAN Sri Zulhasnan Rafique, the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Setiawangsa parliamentary seat, said asset declaration by candidates was not a requirement by the Election Commission (EC).
He said this in response to his opponent, PKR candidate Nik Nazmin Nik Ahmad, who had challenged him to make public his net worth.
“Is there a requirement for me to declare? There is no such requirement.
"Otherwise, the EC would not let us register as a candidate,” Zulhasnan said to a question after the launch of the BN manifesto for Setiawangsa on Monday.
Declining the challenge, Zulhasnan said instead that all Barisan candidates had been vetted by the MACC.
“There is no requirement to declare your assets, but BN candidates have been vetted by the MACC.
“I'm surprised some PKR candidates have refused to be vetted by MACC. Can I ask them why they did not let MACC vet their candidates?” he added.
“It's their right to challenge, but the rule of law does not require me to declare my assets,” Zulhasnan said.
Nik Nazmi (pic above) said he had personally made his assets and net worth known via his website.
“In comparison, (you only decide) to declare your net worth behind closed doors. All voters in Setiawangsa can now evaluate me,” he said.
“I urge Zulhasnan to declare his assets, so that we can start a new culture in the Malaysian political scene,” he added.
Nik Nazmi, 36, also said that he would be making an asset declaration every year if elected.
Last November, about 30 Pakatan Harapan candidates pledged to sign contracts with PKR-linked Invoke to declare their assets for the 14th general election.
At the launch of his manifesto yesterday, Zulhasnan, who is making a return to the seat he won in 2004 and 2008, said there were four main pillars, namely, infrastructure, health, safety and social development.
“This manifesto is the continuation from our works in Setiawangsa since 2004, and we aim to further improve the effectiveness of our engagement with the people,” he said.
Zulhasnan said the system in Setiawangsa was more of a “bottom-up” approach, which he had set up since 2004 to allow people from various segments to voice their concerns.
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