KUALA LUMPUR – The cabinet has agreed that the scope of the Political Financing Bill be referred to the Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Human Rights, Elections and Institutional Reforms.
As such, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said (Pengerang-BN) said her proposal had been taken up for consideration on September 13.
“The Madani government is committed to ensuring that political funding is controlled within appropriate parameters.
“(This is) so the transparency of political contributions can be guaranteed for the good of the people,” she said during her winding-up speech on the 12th Malaysia Plan midterm review in Dewan Rakyat here today.
Azalina was replying to Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Muar-Muda), Wong Chen (Subang-PH) and Mohd Misbahul Munir Masduki (Parit Buntar-PN), who suggested the government enact a Political Financing Act immediately.
She said there are seven policy considerations related to the bill. They are:
– creating new laws to regulate political allocations;
– the regulatory role of a federal statutory body as an independent and neutral entity;
– allowing the regulations to be made at all times – and not limited to election seasons;
– regulating the contributions received by political parties, their members, election candidates – including independent candidates – and election agents;
– the prohibition of political contributions from foreign entities, in any form;
– the stipulation of donation amounts allowed must be declared by the party or individual politicians, and;
– political contributions must be deposited in a special bank account created only for that purpose.
The Political Financing Bill was slated to be tabled for its first and second readings in November last year. However, Parliament was dissolved on October 10 to make way for the 15th general election.
In addition, Azalina said the government is in the final process of obtaining a policy decision regarding the proposed amendments relating to the Whistleblowers Protection Act 2010, before it is refined by the Attorney-General’s Chambers.
She added that the government aims to finalise and present the amendments by November.
Azalina said several engagement sessions had been conducted to establish a Malaysian ombudsman, but details of its function and role must be reviewed to avoid overlaps with the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission. – September 18, 2023