Public can view assets declared by ministers

The Star

PUTRAJAYA: The compulsory asset declaration by all ministers and deputy ministers and their spouses plus immediate family members will be available online for public viewing.

ACA director-general Datuk Ahmad Said Hamdan said they were considering allowing the public to go to the ACA headquarters here to view the declarations personally.

This is in line with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s directive to all ministers and deputy ministers to declare their assets as part of his aim to ensure a corrupt-free government, he said.

“The declarations will then be made available for public viewing to enable people to give their feedback.

“If anyone has information that a particular minister or deputy minister has accumulated more wealth than what has been declared, they can contact the ACA – by post, telephone or e-mail (www.bpr.gov.my),” he added.

Ahmad Said said the declaration would have to be made twice every five years.

“The ACA is currently drafting the form in which the ministers and deputy ministers will declare their assets.”

Ahmad Said said the agency was also striving to provide better facilities and foster closer rapport with the public to wipe out corrupt practices.

“I urge the public to continue providing us with information on any corrupt government or private sector staff,” he added.

When announcing his new Cabinet line-up on Monday, Abdullah said that all those in his administration must declare their assets.

“I want their assets to be known to the public, that is important,” he said.

After chairing the new Cabinet’s first meeting on Wednesday, Abdullah said the ACA would come up with forms for them to declare their assets.

He said that an annual review would also be held to gauge the effectiveness of the government’s actions, especially in responding to issues and problems, adding the present system of having a review every four years was insufficient.