Christian lawmakers pledge to combat graft

A vow of transparency: Kok signing the pledge to combat corruption. Looking on are (second from left) Liew, Yeoh and Baru.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Christian lawmakers and church leaders pledged to combat corruption and act justly.

The MPs include Works Minister Baru Bian, Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong, Deputy Women, Family and Community Develop­ment Minister Hannah Yeoh and Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Steven Sim.

The MPs and church leaders signed a pledge at the parliamentary prayer and worship meet at Royal Lake Club yesterday.

Liew said that the last day for MPs to file their declaration of assets would be today and that their assets would be made public on Nov 1.

“That is how we measure corruption, especially those who are in public office.

“The pledge of Pakatan Harapan government is to be transparent and accountable,” said the minister in charge of law.

Baru said Christian MPs were to uphold proper conduct in their work.

“In my first briefing and speech to my ministry staff, I said ‘you all know me, I am a Christian, and I want to tell you that whatever it is that you are doing on your own, remember God is watching’,” he said.

Also present were Oriental Hearts and Mind Study Institute chairman Dr K.J. John and Catholic Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur Reverend Julian Leow, who is also the Christian Federation of Malaysia chairman.

Leow urged politicians and those in the government to create “new politics” that would work towards the betterment of all the people in the nation.

“To the current government, the temptation is to blame the previous administration.

“We are aware of the wrongdoings in the past but you are no longer in the opposition.

“You are now in the driver’s seat,” he said.

He added that a stronger and more equitable Malaysia was needed, given the challenges such as the country’s debts and the impending global recession.