Wong Chen takes Govt to task over asset declarations

PETALING JAYA: Subang MP Wong Chen has taken the Government to task for giving a vague reply on the issue of asset declaration of Cabinet ministers, MPs and top civil servants.

“The reply I got from the law minister, avoids giving a direct answer. There is nothing in the written reply to say that the Government will make the asset declarations available to the public,” he said in a Facebook post on Wednesday (July 25).

Wong was commenting on the parliamentary reply given by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong, who is in charge of law.

He said the parliamentary reply only made general statements about the shortcomings of the previous Barisan Nasional administration on asset declaration, adding that a committee will look into the matter and will propose reforms.

“I received a lot of similar vague replies from the previous Umno Barisan government,” Wong said.

He added that the issue of asset declaration was a crucial test of Pakatan Harapan's reform agenda.

“Several PKR MPs are taking up this matter in the current debate, urging a firm commitment from the Government to fight corruption with public asset declaration,” he said.

Earlier, Wong had asked Liew to state whether it was compulsory for Cabinet ministers, lawmakers and senior civil servants to publicly declare their assets annually.

Liew’s written reply instead elaborated on the “code ethics” for civil servants and lawmakers who are required to declare their assets once every two years, while pointing out the shortcomings of the present asset declaration mechanism.

Facebook users were divided over Liew's written reply, with some defending the Pakatan government and others criticising it.

YewChong YC said asset declaration would be a major milestone.

“Please fight to make this happen. All Cabinet ministers must declare to the public. The rest to the Prime Minister and the Attorney General's Chambers will do,” he said.

Loongyp Yp said ministers and top civil servants will declare their assets.

“Don’t worry, give them some time,” he said.

“Tai-chi is a game so easy to learn and play. Looks like the Pakatan leadership has done it even faster!” commented William Arul.