PSM secretary-general A Sivarajan urged PH to immediately get their elected representatives to declare their assets publicly if they were really sincere in their reform agenda.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said recently that Cabinet ministers, deputy ministers, political secretaries and government officials must declare their assets to him.

He also said the reports of the assets would be made available to agencies entrusted to fight corruption, including the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu was reported to have welcomed the move.

“This is certainly a disappointing statement from an ex-opposition firebrand and Amanah president,” said Sivarajan, referring to Mohamad.

Sivarajan said PSM, a pioneer among political parties in public declaration of assets, was “troubled” by the PH government’s excuses for not getting its elected representatives to declare their assets publicly.

“It has been our principle that all aspiring election candidates, all elected MPs, state assemblymen and even local councillors declare their assets to the public.

“When Malaysians have time and time again witnessed how government agencies compromised their credibility for their political masters, what is the use of making a declaration to the MACC, another government agency?” he said.

He pointed out that PSM’s former Sungai Siput MP Dr Michael Jeyakumar had declared his assets publicly every year during his term so that the public could monitor any accumulation of wealth.