The PMO said the new format for asset declarations would be more comprehensive and will improve on the existing mechanism.

It said this was agreed upon by the special anti-corruption Cabinet committee, chaired by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, when it met today.

Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman had recently questioned why government ministers had yet to declare their assets despite being in power for seven months now.

Meanwhile, the PMO also said Putrajaya would issue guidelines to handle “support letters” by members of the administration for “government matters”.

“The government takes the issue of support letters that involve elements of corruption and abuse of power seriously as this has affected the administration’s image.

“Guidelines will be issued to ensure that such support letters are not abused for personal interests.”

The PMO also said the Cabinet committee agreed for the auditor-general’s report to be periodically tabled when the Cabinet meets, starting with the 2022 report.

This is to ensure that follow-up measures, as recommended by the auditor-general, are taken immediately and effectively, it added.

The PMO said the committee will also review the limit on the number of directorships that civil servants are allowed to hold in a GLC or statutory body. This is to ensure their effectiveness in these roles.

It added that the special anti-corruption Cabinet committee will now be known as the special Cabinet committee on national governance.

It will have the authority to scrutinise governance weaknesses in GLCs and statutory bodies, including public universities.

“The government is committed to its agenda of strengthening good governance to support the nation’s development and ensure that the government is free from corruption, misappropriation and abuse of power.”

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