Statutory Declaration Would Bring Good Governance

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 20 (Bernama) –- The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Corruption Prevention Advisory Board proposal that ministers, deputy ministers and immediate family members make statutory declarations (SDs) on their assets is a step in the right direction, said a former deputy inspector-general of police. Samsuri Arshad said such a move would bring out a transparency concept of good governance and give a sense of integrity in public perception as it could have access to their leaders’ assets. "There is nothing there to hide, the public always has a curiosity to know about our country's leaders salary and I am welcoming the proposal," he told Bernama here Thursday. He was commenting on the board's proposal yesterday that ministers, deputy ministers and their immediate family members make SDs on their assets and the files be kept by the MACC. MACC aims to ensure that the move would strengthen the independent anti-graft agency's investigative powers and its independence. The idea came about after Chief Justice Tan Sri Arifin Zakaria proposed a requirement for judges to declare their assets. Samsuri said such an approach could also end negative speculation from the opposition which was keen on making non-substantial accusations on such issues. He commended the government's efforts towards such transparency as many developed countries with a first-rate administration had done it. He said the SD effort was proof of Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak's transformation programme for government departments to excel in good delivery system and uphold integrity. -- BERNAMA