PETALING JAYA: All candidates from Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama) contesting in the Melaka state election must complete a statutory declaration (SD) declaring their assets before receiving their appointment letters, said Bersama de facto leader Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli (pic).
He said the asset declaration was a mandatory condition the party imposed on every individual selected to represent Bersama in the Melaka state election.
Rafizi said the move was a demonstration of the party’s continued commitment to combating corruption and money politics.
“Although we have only been around for four months, Bersama candidates have already made statutory asset declarations in two state elections,” he said at a press conference on Monday (Oct 5).
Rafizi said this directly puts pressure on more established political parties to explain why they were not equally committed to requiring candidates to declare their assets.
He stressed that asset declarations are a measure of each party’s commitment to preventing corruption and money politics.
“I am realistic that the current political deadlock means the majority of voters do not place a premium on the discipline of asset declarations.
“Even so, efforts to combat money politics and corruption must not be exploited merely for political gain. They must be demonstrated through the courage and transparency to declare assets,” he said.
Rafizi also criticised several other political parties for not taking similar steps to require their candidates to declare their assets, Sinar Harian reported.
