TAPAH: While the Barisan Nasional and Parti Sosialis Malaysia candidates for the Ayer Kuning by-election have already declared their assets, their rival from Perikatan Nasional says he will only do so if he wins.
Barisan’s Dr Mohamad Yusri Bakir said he already declared his assets to the relevant authorities when he resigned as a public servant.
The Tapah Umno secretary said he made his declaration upon resigning as head of the Islamic and Moral Education Department at Institute of Teacher Education in Ipoh earlier this month.
“We are required to submit our declarations before stepping down from a civil service post and also when we retire early.
“As I’ve already done so, there’s no issue,” he said during a press conference after a door-to-door visit at Kampung Baru Tapah Road yesterday.
“I am also required to submit various other documents, including declaring my assets to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to ensure I am eligible to contest (the by-election).
“Anyway, I am not someone who is wealthy.”
On Sunday, PSM’s KS Bawani publicly declared her assets at an event at Pasar Tani Tapah.
Mohamad Yusri will face Bawani and Perikatan’s Abd Muhaimin Malek for the state seat.
The by-election is set for this Saturday with early voting to be held today.
Asked how he was feeling after more than a week of campaigning, Mohamad Yusri said he was still energetic and would work even harder to woo voters.
“My voice has become hoarse, but it was better today compared to the day before, as I managed to get a bit more rest and should fully recover tomorrow.
“I believe I have covered about 70% of the constituency. I am currently in my fifth gear and will need to work harder as we are in the final stretch,” he said.
Mohamad Yusri hopes that the positive responses he has received to his manifesto will be translated into votes.
At a separate press conference, PAS vice-president Datuk Idris Ahmad said Abd Muhaimin will only declare his assets if he wins the by-election.
He said that it was not important for the candidate to declare his assets at this stage as he does not hold any government positions.
“It does not mean that we are afraid, (but) once he wins, he will declare.
“It is more suitable for candidates to declare their assets when they win.
“That way, we can know from the start how much wealth they have when they begin their role as an assemblyman.
“Then, before they contest in a general election, they can declare again,” said the Bagan Serai MP.
