September 20, 2022
PETALING JAYA – The asset declaration mechanism for government officials, parliamentarians and senators will be strengthened to improve government integrity, says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
The Prime Minister said as such, amendments and improvements to the current Code of Ethics will be implemented.
“A new Code of Ethics will be introduced for MPs under the House of Parliament (Privileges and Powers) Act 1952 (Act 347), taking into account the principle of separation of powers between the executive and the legislative body,” he said in a statement after chairing the Special Cabinet Committee on Anti-Corruption yesterday.
The meeting also agreed that chief executives of government- linked companies (GLCs) and government-linked investment companies (GLICs), along with the judiciary, must declare their assets to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
“The details of the new Code of Ethics will be re-tabled by the MACC at the next Special Cabinet Committee meeting,” added Ismail Sabri.
Those at the meeting were also briefed on the latest status of the Political Financing Bill, he said.
“The Bill will be regulated by an independent entity known as the Controller of Political Donations at both the federal and state level,” he said.
The views of all relevant stakeholders, including political parties, will be considered in detail before the Bill is tabled in the third meeting of the fifth session of the 14th Parliament, said Ismail Sabri.
“The government remains committed to upholding the principles of integrity and ensuring transparency in its governance, so it can be improved from time to time to make Malaysia a corruption-free country,” he added.
The third meeting of the fifth session of the 14th Parliament was brought forward to Oct 3 and Budget 2023 will be tabled on Oct 7.
The coming Parliament session will sit for 32 days from Oct 3 to Nov 29.
Ismail Sabri said the meeting also agreed that the Audit Act 1957 (Act 62) will be amended by the National Audit Department to empower professionalism and guarantee the independence of the Auditor-General.
The meeting also agreed to carry out an evaluation on the direction of the Malaysian Institute of Integrity (IIM) with an annual fixed grant through the National Centre for Governance, Integrity, and Anti-Corruption (GIACC) for a period of three years beginning 2023 until 2025. This is aimed at improving and strengthening integrity in the country, said the Prime Minister.
“The role of IIM will be strengthened based on three core functions: education, advocacy and training; research and publishing; and strategic cooperation,” said Ismail Sabri.
The meeting also decided to boost service delivery and improve governance by the local authorities to strengthen elements of integrity, he added.