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by Pauline Wong

PETALING JAYA (March 21, 2008): Transparency International Malaysian Chapter (TI-M) has called for an independent monitoring machinery to be set up to curb corruption and also to keep tabs on the declaration of assets by ministers and deputy ministers.

“It must be a people’s tribunal. There should be a ‘tsunami’ against corruption. The people should put pressure on the government; it should be a people’s movement,” said TI president Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam.

Commenting on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s directive for cabinet ministers and deputy ministers to declare their assets publicly twice every five years, Ramon said the independent monitoring machinery should be made up of representatives from the public, so that it does not become counter-productive and turn into another avenue for corruption.

However, he would not elaborate on the setting up of the independent monitoring machinery.

He said the families of ministers and deputy ministers must also be required to declare their assets, as it is a norm for those holding public office to transfer their assets to family members to avoid declaration.

“Declaring their liabilities must also be made mandatory as part of the efforts to be fully transparent,” he told theSun.

Ramon said the people must exercise their rights to information and perform their duties in reporting corruption, adding that public knowledge of assets must also mean public participation in ensuring this is done with integrity.

Stressing that it is the duty of the people, he said: “The people should be aware and alert towards corruption and report any misconduct, just like any other crime. Report it to the police, or the Anti-Corruption Agency. This should be a national movement towards accountability, integrity and transparency.”

TI-M, a non-governmental organisation that leads in the fight against corruption, had said it was greatly impressed with Abdullah’s directive as it would be a step forward in strengthening transparency, accountability and integrity.

Ramon said the directive is of historical importance and could provide the watershed and beginning of a new drive to fight corruption with a stronger political will.

He said TI-M had hoped Abdullah would also ask the mentri besar and chief ministers in Barisan Nasional-controlled state governments to follow suit to combat corruption more seriously and set an example to the private sector and civil service.

Abdullah’s directive followed suit a directive from Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who had ordered top government servants to publicly declare their assets.

Those who will be required to make the assets declaration include the chief minister, state executive council members, speaker and deputy speaker as well as the heads of the Penang and Seberang Jaya municipal councils. - THE SUN

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