Show Us the Money

The movie Jerry Maguire gave me a lot of quotable quotes, from the romantic “you had me at hello”, “you complete me” and of course the famous “show me the money” which was repeatedly shouted between Rod and Jerry over the phone.

This is however not a posting about movies.

This is a political posting.

About ministers showing us their money.       

The good chief of the MACC (who probably won’t be chief for very much longer) proposed that ministers declare their assets to the public. Home Minister Dato Seri Hishammuddin Hussein however said it was unsuitable for Cabinet members to publicly declare their assets. The minister said it was sufficient for them to inform the Prime Minister of their financial worth. Hishamuddin also said any call of that nature (the public declaration of assets) which involves the policy of the government has to be discussed at the cabinet. Currently, Cabinet members disclose their assets to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak annually but such declarations are kept private. [source]

True to the spirit of camaraderie, Dr Chua Soi Lek is demanding that MACC chief Abu Kassim show him an example of a country where public asset declaration by politicians/ministers is practised. Let’s say Abu Kassim accepts the challenge and shows Dr Chua the money, will Chua and (deputy minister) son declare their assets?

Maybe Forbes and Fortune should produce a rich list …

On another issue which does not involve showing any money; 30 people were arrested for attending an anti-ISA candlelight virgil at Amcorp Mall on Sunday night. A virgil, if I understand correctly is a peaceful gathering, sometimes in silence where everyone just sit around with their sad faces and stare at the floor. Okay I wasn’t at Amcorp so I won’t know what how it actually went BUT I do know it was nothing like what the cow-head guys did last Ramadhan. There was no marching and shouting threatening words. There was no display of disrespect towards religious objects. Probably there was no drug offenders present either. Despite that, the FRU came in full force. The home minister didn’t say anything to defend the so-called protesters. I cannot see the home minister arranging a press conference to explain that these people were only trying to make themselves heard like he did for the cow-head protestors.

I read the book recounting Syed Hussin’s experience in Kamunting and today I read about Mat Sah Mohammed Satray’s experience with the ISA. The ISA is not good.