Ministers: We’re too poor to own assets

Reports by MARTIN CARVALHO, HEMANANTHANI SIVANANDAM and TARRENCE TAN 

TWO ministers have said there is no need for them to declare their assets to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) as they have no assets or too poor.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department P. Waytha Moorthy said he had no assets to declare.

He claimed that he had spent all of his income to fight for the welfare of the impoverished Indian community.

“I was an activist all my life and all of my income was spent on the poor Indian community.

“That is why I don’t have financial access to purchase properties.

“I was a lawyer previously but I do not have any (assets) because I have spent all of my income (fighting for the community),” he claimed, adding that he had declared his source of income.

Waytha, who is in charge of the National Unity and Social Wellbeing, said he was aware that the media had reported him as among the ministers who have yet to declare their assets to MACC.

“I told my office to inform the MACC to put a note at my name, saying that I don’t have assets,” he said at the Parliament lobby.

Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi also said he was simply “too poor” to own any assets and doesn’t own even a car or a house.

“What to declare if I don’t have assets? You answer me,” he said.

When asked whether he owned a car or a house, he merely said: “No, I’m poor.”

Pressed further on whether he would consider declaring his assets in future, the Silam MP said he would do so.

“That one is different. If in future I have (assets).

“But as it is now, no, I don’t have (assets). So, I got nothing to declare.

“Poor people don’t have assets,” he said.

A check by The Star on the MACC’s website showed that Waytha makes a joint income of RM48,736.48 per month while Mohamaddin earns a joint income of RM67,483.43 per month.

On Sunday, the MACC revealed that 13 MPs and 24 senior government officials including political secretaries have yet to declare their assets.