PETALING JAYA: The tabling of the Political Funding Bill should be sped up to prevent individuals from becoming victims of selective prosecution, says Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan (pic).
The Umno secretary-general said the party was serious in fighting for the Bill, which was one of the motions passed in the recent Umno general assembly, other than the Anti-Party Hopping Bill.
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"I welcome any moves to speed up the Bill. If it needs to be referred to the Attorney General, the draft is already there.
"Umno fully supports the Political Funding Bill," Ahmad was quoted as saying by Malay language daily Sinar Harian.
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He was met at the Hari Raya open house of Pulai Sebatang assemblyman Hasrunizah Hassan at Dewan Umno in Pontian on Friday (May 20).
On Thursday (May 19), the National Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption Centre (GIACC) said it accepted in principle suggestions on the implementation of the Political Funding Act.
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However, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Yaakob said the suggestion must be discussed with Cabinet members before involving other political parties.
He said the Bill was important as there were no laws or regulations to govern political donations that could curb corruption and abuse of power among politicians.
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Ahmad, who is also Pontian MP, also denied accusations that Umno was responsible for breaking ties with PAS.
"Although the opportunity was given to PAS to be part of Muafakat Nasional (MN) in the last two state elections (Melaka and Johor), it leaned towards Perikatan Nasional and 'attacked' Umno," he said.
Ahmad said when PAS lost in both the elections, its leaders said they were ready to return to MN, although Barisan Nasional has made a decision to go solo in the 15th general election.
