Move to table political funding law praised

PETALING JAYA: Moves by the government to push for greater political reforms through political funding laws were given the thumbs up by Parliament’s multiparty caucus and electoral watchdog Bersih.

“After the passing of the anti-hopping law, the political financing Bill would be the most significant reform the government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob can deliver.

“It would go a long way to regulate the way politicians and parties raise funds and monitor their expenses,” Bersih chairman Thomas Fann said yesterday.

The absence of such a law had led to numerous corruption scandals in the country, he said.

“This is because politicians siphon funds to themselves and call it political donations,” he added.

Fann noted that the proposed law must be effective and have strong oversight.

“We propose that a commission comprising independently appointed individuals from the judiciary, civil service, legal fraternity and civil society be empowered to enforce this law,” he suggested.

“We look forward to the tabling of the Bill, but the government must learn from the experience of the anti-hopping law and form a select committee to conduct public consultation before tabling it in Parliament for debate,” he added.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the government intends to table political funding laws in Parliament this October.

Parliamentary Caucus for Multi Party Democracy chief Maria Chin Abdullah lauded the move.

“This will strengthen the legal framework to allow for greater transparency and accountability.

“I believe we have enough cases, such as 1MDB and others, to show that we need more accountability from politicians and political parties,” the Petaling Jaya Member of Parliament said yesterday.

She said the caucus, representing nine political parties including an independent, suggested that the proposed law includes limits on sources of funds and expenses while encouraging public declaration of political parties’ finances.