KUALA LUMPUR: With the much-anticipated Political Financing Bill currently under review, the All-Party Parliamentary Group Malaysia (APPGM) on political financing has decided to expand its scope to include more critical areas related to political competition.
APPGM chairman Wong Chen (PH-Subang) announced that new areas would include the possible re-enactment of the Parliamentary Services Act, amendments to the Election Offences Act, strengthening asset declaration mechanisms, and improving the regulatory framework for political parties.
"This broadened scope will help create a platform for MPs, Senators, civil society organisations (CSOs), and experts to engage in detailed discussions on political financing governance.
"Going forward, our focus will extend to cover the broader financing of Malaysia's political system and addressing structural reforms to strengthen transparency and accountability," he said at a press conference at Parliament on Thursday (Dec 12).
Speaking on the Political Financing Bill, Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas) acting chief executive officer Aira Azhari noted significant progress toward the bill’s tabling.
She mentioned that the bill’s draft, expected to include increased regulatory measures on the current political financing system, had been submitted to the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister's Department (BHEUU).
"It has undergone discussion with the Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC) on Human Rights, PSSC on Elections, and PSSC on Institutional Reforms. The BHEUU is currently studying the bill and comparing it with the draft or parameters that the government has," she said during the press conference.
APPGM member Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah (PN-Indera Mahkota) stated that APPGM’s focus on the Parliamentary Services Act would also look toward regulating MP parliamentary allocations.
Wong added that the group’s new focus on asset declaration aims to ensure all senior civil servants publicly declare their assets for transparency's sake.
"These broader reforms are essential to rebuilding public trust in our political institutions as APPGM continues to act as a check and balance on the government," Wong added.
APPGM is a Parliament approved body that works to identify local needs and issues based on the Sustainable Development Goals from all facets of society. The body was approved by the Secretary of the Dewan Rakyat on April 20, 2022 and is supported by IDEAS, civil society organisations (CSOs) and members of parliament (MPs) from across the political divide.
