KUCHING: A national newspaper’s Nov 29 article that bore the heading, “Tiada YB Pembangkang Bebas Isytihar Harta” (No independent opposition MP has declared assets) has been called fake news.
“Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) completely denies the allegation as reported by a national Bahasa newspaper. So far, 12 GPS MPs had declared their assets while the rest had already applied for extensions from the Speaker of the House of Representatives Datuk Mohamad Ariff Yusof,” said GPS chief whip Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof in a statement yesterday.
“The asset declaration documents for the 12 GPS MPs had also been submitted to Mohamad Ariff as well as Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Latheefa Koya.”
Fadillah said that the documents were submitted by hand to the office of the Dewan Rakyat speaker and Latheefa had confirmed receiving the stamped copies.
“Instead of referring to MACC’s asset declaration portal, we advise the reporters to obtain confirmation from Mohamad Ariff himself or refer any GPS representative as opposition parliamentarians would only submit their declaration to the office of the Dewan Rakyat speaker and only a copy of it to the MACC.
The Petra Jaya MP stressed this in unison with a proposal to declare assets by The National Centre for Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption (GIACC). Sarawak being the first to sign the Corruption Free Pledge (IBR), its MPs would have no problem in declaring their assets.
Fadillah also recalled that Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg had ordered all GPS MPs to declare their assets.
GPS’s adherence to the cause was also apparent when all GPS MPs held a special briefing organised by GIACC & SPRM on asset declaration attended by GIACC director general Abu Kassim Mohamed, MACC chief information officer Datuk Shamshun Baharin Jamil, and GIACC deputy general director Datuk Dr Anis Yusal Yusof.
