Terence Gomez
KUALA LUMPUR: The G25 group of eminent Malays is awaiting response from the Prime Minister on its report on proposed reforms for political party funding.
G25 had collaborated with 70 NGOs to draw up the report, which was submitted to Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Nov 27.
Universiti Malaya political economy professor Terence Gomez said the report outlined three major reforms to make political financing transparent and accountable.
"First, the Government should enact a Political Parties Act to ban secret and foreign funding, limit contributions and ban party ownership of businesses.
"Second, the Election Commission should have their autonomy protected, with stronger monitoring and enforcement capabilities.
"Third, there should be direct public funding for all political parties, which can help reduce reliance on private funding and level the playing field for all candidates," he said at the launch of the report here Tuesday.
G25 member Tan Sri Sheriff Kassim said while the group hoped Najib would call them for a dialogue, they would also have to go on a roadshow to enlighten the public.
"If he does not respond to us by Jan 15, we will go on a roadshow to get public support for the report to be made prominent.
"Of course we will also have to engage all levels of society in due time, including the Opposition," he said.
The report, he added, will be made available to the public online soon.
