Tuan Ibrahim defends his remarks that declaring assets is un-Islamic

KUALA LUMPUR: PAS deputy president Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man defended his remarks that it is un-Islamic to declare assets.

"I have checked the authenticity of the hadith and although there are differing views among the ulama, they accept it as an authentic hadith," he told reporters at Parliament lobby on Tuesday (July 2).

Despite differing views, he said that PAS only accepted the mainstream interpretation of the hadith.

He denied that PAS was using religion with regard to the issue and said the party only uses it as a guideline.

However, he said that PAS had no problems for its lawmakers to declare their assets.

The only issue, he noted, was the manner in which it is being done.

"It is only a motion that does not require two-thirds majority votes.

"Why not make it a law instead of a motion?" he asked.

Tuan Ibrahim also defended PAS secretary-general Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan, who is Kota Baru MP, who said that he would be the first not to declare his assets.

"He merely said that as a challenge as the motion has no force of law to compel MPs to declare their assets," he added.

On Monday (July 1), Tuan Ibrahim claimed that Islam does not allow Muslims to publicly disclose their wealth as it could lead to security issues.

Dewan Rakyat passed a special motion on Monday (July 1) to compel all lawmakers to declare their assets, including those held by their spouses, children and trustees.

The motion by unanimous voice vote was passed after six hours of heated debates.

Opposition MPs voiced their disagreement over the motion and abstained from voting.

They argued that the asset declaration should be done by law and not through a motion in Parliament.