Turns Out, HR Minister Is Cabinet’s Highest Earner, Beating Out Even The Prime Minister
But four PN officials are still missing from the MACC asset declaration portal.
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Malaysia’s Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan is now the highest earning cabinet member, beating out Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s RM104,000 monthly income.
What you need to know: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) asset declaration portal was updated on 31 August with new declarations from Perikatan Nasional (PN) government officials.
Human Resources Minister M. Saravanan is the highest earner in PN, with a monthly income of RM143,628.55, beating out Muhyiddin who was previously listed as the highest earner.
However, Saravanan’s declared assets of less than RM1 million is significantly lower than the prime minister’s declared assets ranging between RM10 million – RM15 million.
How did it get here: The MACC portal went live to the public with asset declarations by members of the administration on 22 July, but only with information from 57 out of 70 members of the administration.
The list was updated later as more ministers and deputy ministers submitted their asset declaration to MACC in the following weeks
As of 31 August, Malay Mail found that names of five deputy ministers missing, who are:
- Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz
- Deputy Works Minister Datuk Shabudin Yahaya
- Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin
- Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal
- Deputy Environment and Water Minister Datuk Ahmad Masrizal Muhammad
But on 1st September, Wan Ahmad Fayhsal’s assets appeared on the list at under RM1 million with a monthly income of RM 32,347.65. The other four names remain missing.
Why it matters: In a presentation to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), MACC states that assets declaration is important for four reasons:
- To curb corruption and conflict of interest
- To detect abuse of public office
- To ensure integrity among public officials
- To detect illicit enrichment
Asset declaration is a precondition for confirmation and promotion of all public officials under Chapter A (Appointment, Promotion and Termination of Service) of the General Order, which includes members of administration, judges, Members of Parliament and public officers.
(Credit: UNCAC & MACC)
Those who fail to declare their assets, shall be subjected to disciplinary action under the Public Officers Regulations (Conduct and Discipline) 1993. Possible punishments among others are warning, demotion and dismissal.
However, asset declaration is not yet legally mandatory in Malaysia.
Read more:
PORTAL PERISYTIHARAN HARTA (MACC)
Public can access MACC portal to see asset declarations of ministers (The Star)
Asset Declaration In Malaysia (UNCAC/MACC)
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