Political funding law to be tabled in Parliament in October

KUALA LUMPUR: The much-awaited legislation on political funding is expected to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat next month.

The Political Funding Bill and another on the establishment of an ombudsman will likely be tabled in October, said National Centre for Governance, Integrity, and Anti-Corruption (GIACC) director-general Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed.

He said these were among the new laws and regulations being mooted to complement other initiatives to make Malaysia a corruption-free nation.

It is not known what form the Bill will take, but in January, Abu Kassim had said that with the law, parties will have to disclose all sources of funding, including donations.

“If this is not adhered to, there will be punitive action, ” he said then.

The Bill on Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) that had already been tabled in Parliament would likely be passed in October as well, according to Abu Kassim.

“We are also preparing draft guidelines on recommendation letters from the offices of lawmakers, ” he told reporters after delivering a keynote address at an Anti-Corruption and Integrity 2019 forum on Tuesday (Sept 17).

He said many other bills and directives were being examined and reviewed to promote good governance and a high level of integrity, to complement initiatives aimed at eradicating corruption.

He said a Special Cabinet Committee on Anti-Corruption had been set up to deliberate and decide on policy on matters related to improving governance, integrity and anti-corruption measures.

The Prime Minister chairs the committee comprising his deputy, senior ministers representing all component parties of the ruling coalition, secretaries-general of all ministries, the Chief Secretary to the Government, the Auditor-General, the Attorney General, as well as the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief.

Companies and their management would be held responsible if they failed to impose measures to check corruption within their organisations, according to Abu Kassim.

He said Section 17 (A) of the MACC Act 2018 (Amendment) regarding corporate liability would be enforced by June 1 next year.

“This law could be used to hold companies accountable if their staff are involved in corrupt practices, with or without the companies’ knowledge, ” he said.

He added that guidelines were being drawn for corporate players to understand their roles and responsibilities in tackling corruption.