SHAH ALAM- The Pakatan Rakyat Government in Selangor would like to thank His Royal Highness Sultan Shariffudin Idris Shah for his support and advice as stated in his opening speech at the 12th State Legislative Assembly meeting yesterday. The state welcomes the Sultan’s advice for its EXCO members to declare their assets for public scrutiny.

As such, the state would like to announce that the asset declaration of EXCO members will be available on the official Selangor Government website, at www.selangor.gov.my beginning Friday. This move would allow public to scrutinize all transactions of assets during the EXCO members’ period of appointment in office.

Assets here refer to property, shares and/or large sums of cash transfers taking place during this period of time. The official dates are between March 24, 2008 (the date of swearing in of the EXCOs) and present.

Transactions include any acquisition or disposal of assets during that time period.

The state would like to stress that the objective of asset declaration is to ensure that those holding highest Office within the Selangor Government would not take advantage of their positions to unlawfully or unethically acquire assets – financial or otherwise. The declarations would enable EXCO members to make unbiased and impartial decisions on policy thus enhancing the credibility of the state government.

After seeking legal advice, the state decided that it is best not to include assets owned by EXCO members prior to holding office. This is because the state is unable to provide security for the EXCO and their family members; and neither is there any insurance policy that can be obtained to address this concern.

However, every EXCO member has disclosed the information privately to the Menteri Besar’s Office and this information can be released for legitimate reasons – subject to the conditions set by and approval of the Special Select Committee on Competence, Accountability and Transparency or SELCAT.

While we have the utmost confidence in our EXCO’s integrity, this move reflects the state’s uncompromising stand on transparency, accountability and good governance.

TAN SRI ABDUL KHALID IBRAHIM
DATO MENTERI BESAR SELANGOR