Despite some very vocal and very ridiculous opposition, a special motion on declaration of assets was approved in Parliament yesterday. MPs will now have to come clean about the sources of their ringgit and sen, as well as any and all assets possessed. Great move? Oh, yeah. Easily enforceable? Hell, no.
 
De facto Law Minister Liew Vui Keong says that, with the motion now approved, all lawmakers will have to declare their assets to the Malaysian Ant-Corruption Commission within three months. Any MP who gives false info in their declarations could be thrown in jail for up to three years.

But here’s the confusing bit. Should someone like PAS' Takiyuddin Hassan – who promised to be the first MP to oppose any compulsory rule on declaring one’s assets – chooses to do and say nothing ... he (or any other recalcitrant) gets referred to the parliamentary rights and privileges committee.

But the committee doesn't really have the power to throw fellas like Takiyuddin in the slammer. At most, they can prescribe a fine or a short suspension from Parliament. The law quoted by the gomen only allows for jailing for those who give false info, not those who fail to declare anything at all. So, what happens if the MPs pull a Gandhi and just don't cooperate? 
 
Also, here’re two other things about yesterday’s motion: 

One, it’s a stopgap measure until a proper bill is maybe tabled at the next Parliamentary session in October. A bill, mind you, that may not even get passed. Two, motions in Westminster Parliamentary system, whether special or not, aren't legally binding.
 
But on the whole, and as we said on Friday, we’re 100% behind a move to compel MPs to declare assets. Unlike Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, we believe Malaysians have a right to know just how many pink diamonds our elected representatives (or their wives) have.

The tax on sugary drinks came into effect yesterday and while Malaysia hasn’t stopped being the most obese country in Asia, some fat cats are already feeling the weight of the new law. This includes Nestle Malaysia, which emerged as the biggest loser on Bursa Malaysia at the end of trading, and F&N and Dutch Lady, which also recorded significant loses. 

But, no worries. The Malaysian Association of Tax Accountants (Mata) says the tax’s impact on the share market will be short term. Also, positive benefits to the rakyat health should outweigh monetary considerations.

Just in case you need a refresher, the new tax sees a duty of 40 sen per litre on sweetened beverages in two categories: drinks with more than 5g of sugar per 100ml, or fruit and vegetable juices with over 12g of sugar per 100ml.

Also, in case you're wondering what's gonna happen to all the collected cash - the government promises to use the revenue to fund free and healthy breakfast programmes for school students.

P.S. While the jury’s still out on whether sugar taxes work to reduce medical costs and obesity, there’s been quite a bit of evidence to show that they do significantly reduce the consumption of sugary drinks.

Putrajaya has finally decided that it will not approve applications for new chemical plants in Pasir Gudang. Of course, the move may have next to no impact considering 250 factories already operate in the area!

Also, while Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Minister Yeo Bee Yin seems to think chemical factories “adopting” schools nearest to them and providing mandatory gas detectors is a good move, we’re not sure that solves the problem one bit. Flammable and toxic chemicals are being released into the air due to poor policing and inadequate laws so you’ll excuse us if we think that more concrete steps need to be taken. Here's a suggestion: Instead of giving people gas detectors, maybe try to ensure less toxic gas is emitted in the first place?

Oh, and schools are still open! Why? Well, according to Deputy Prime Minister Wan Azizah Wan Ismail it's 'cos the air quality is under control. Yeah, sure. Someone should ask her if she’d feel the same way if her grandkids were going to school in Pasir Gudang.

By the way, air pollution from factories is also distressing residents 700-odd kilometres from Pasir Gudang. From Malaysiakini’s report on the issue, it doesn’t look like Sungai Petani authorities are too bothered by the thought of a Pasir Gudang-like incident from occurring there.

Roughly a month on from PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad saying the government would study the proposal, Pakatan Harapan has decided it won’t set up a truth and reconciliation commission on the May 13 riots after all.

Reason? The government believes the already public National Operations Council (NOC) report on the matter is good enough.

Yes, that’s right. No declassification of the Special Branch report. No opening of Cabinet papers. No RCI. Just that NOC report. Which has been available since 1969!

Shortly after the 50th anniversary of the tragedy this year, many observers said the time to put the spectre of the past to bed was now, and the only way to do that properly was via the establishment of a truth and reconciliation commission. Unfortunately, the government’s go play far far response proves what we've suspected all along: Pakatan, like Barisan Nasional, has no intention of looking at the May 13 incident without fear and favour 'cos, ya know, doing that may affect votes.