PETALING JAYA: With the Political Funding Bill set to be tabled this October, the National Centre for Governance, Integrity and Anti-corruption (GIACC) has been mandated to spearhead the Bill’s policy drafting without delay.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the Bill’s draft needs to be prepared as soon as possible so that engagement sessions with stakeholders can be held according to the timeline that will be set by GIACC.
"To show transparency and accountability in political governance, it is pertinent that this law be implemented immediately," said Wan Junaidi in a statement Saturday (Aug 13).
Wan Junaidi said a memorandum is expected to be presented at the Cabinet meeting this September, which will enable the Political Funding Bill to be presented at the next Parliament session in October.
Wan Junaidi said he had conducted a meeting between the Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU) and GIACC, Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC), the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), the Registrar of Societies (ROS) and the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) to discuss matters related to the Political Funding Bill.
He said among the important policy matters discussed were the establishment of an entity to regulate political funding, authorised political contributors and the setting of penalties for offences under the proposed law.
“GIACC has been instructed to refine these policy matters, while BHEUU and AGC have been tasked to prepare an administrative draft taking into account the views and examples given by civil society groups and non-government organisations.
“A comparative analysis on the usage of a similar law in other countries must also be prepared, so that we can set a benchmark on this proposed legislation.
“This law must also be aligned with existing ones under the ROS and SSM,” said Wan Junaidi.
