Oops! Works Minister Baru has highest declared income

Baru Bian. -Bernamapic

PETALING JAYA: Going by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) asset declaration portal, Works Minister Baru Bian (pic) has the highest monthly income among MPs and members of the administration who have declared their assets.

But that may change soon because he says he has made a mistake in his declaration.

The MACC has so far provided the income figures of 79 Pakatan Harapan and Parti Warisan Sabah parliamentarians.

According to the portal, Baru currently tops the list with a monthly income of RM108,056.

However, he tweeted that he had double-declared his MP allowance and was in the process of correcting the information.

“I can’t be ahead of the Finance Minister,” he quipped on Twitter, alluding to the fact that Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng is second on the list with RM86,464.92.

It is indicated that Lim declared his assets as well as those of his wife and children.

However, MACC deputy chief commissioner (Prevention) Shamsun Baharin told news portal Malaysiakini that the figures stated are those of the lawmakers’ monthly incomes and not their joint family incomes.

The figures also do not take into account the MPs’ liabilities.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail was ranked third with a monthly income of RM77,629.68, while Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was next on the list with RM75,861.57.

Dr Mahathir declared his assets together with those of his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali. His son, Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, was not on the list.

Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was the sixth highest earner, with a declared monthly income of RM72,276.37. His declaration also covered the assets of his wife.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail was 13th on the list with an income of RM59,048.33. She declared her assets together with those of her husband, Port Dickson MP Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

However, details of the income of their daughter, Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar, was not available on the portal.

Currently, Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng is at the bottom of the list with a monthly income of RM15,850.

The MACC had listed 79 out of 123 parliamentarians on the site as at 7pm, while the remaining 44 parliamentarians have yet to declare their assets.

The MACC site also noted that detailed information on the assets will be published after a technical problem has been fixed.

Facebook user BM Chiam said the asset declaration was a good start for the Pakatan Harapan government.

“Leading by example! Nothing to hide,” he said.

Victor Yen said the public should not be bothered about the incomes of others.

“Why should we care how much (is) one’s income?

“As long as one earns it honestly, and not through stealing, and pays his income tax honestly. Right?” he asked.

However, Muhammed Azri Yahakub lamented the high earnings of the MPs.

“Minimum wage for the working class is RM1,050. Pffftttt!” he said.