Beruas MP Ngeh tops MACC asset declaration list at RM80mil

IPOH: DAP's Beruas MP Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham (pic) says he has declared assets worth RM80mil and not RM75mil as reported by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on its website.

The Perak DAP adviser said he declared another RM2mil in assets for his wife and children.

The state assembly speaker said there are two other assets that he has yet to declare because its valuation is not yet done.

"Since I am not a practising lawyer, my firm has to be passed on to my partners. That amount and the value of my insurances are yet to be valued," he told a press conference after announcing on the coming state assembly sitting at the state secretariat building on Friday (Nov 23).

Ngeh tops the asset declaration list, followed by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who has accumulated assets worth RM32mil.

Ngeh said he was not the richest MP as there are a few Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional MPs who have yet to declare their assets.

"God has been kind to me, and I appreciate life being a series of blessings, so I want to be transparent about my assets," he added.

Ngeh said he had been a lawyer for 32 years, and has not been working solely for money in the last 20 years after he earned his first RM2mil.

"I was working to contribute to the community. However, it turns out that my investments drew huge returns, thus increasing in prices and profits.

"I am quite detached from money as it does not dictate how I live. I live a happy life and simplicity to me is freedom.

"I still have my RM6 haircut from my Indian barber near my law firm, but sometimes due to lack of time, I do go to a hair saloon that costs me RM15," he added.

Dr Mahathir was previously reported to have said that all members of the administration, including ministers, their deputies and political secretaries, were required to declare their assets to the Prime Minister.