KUALA LUMPUR: A comprehensive public perception study on the proposed Political Financing Bill is underway and expected to conclude next month, says Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said (pic).
She said the study is being led by a research team comprising academics from various public universities, headed by a researcher from the International Islamic University Malaysia, together with representatives from NGOs and civil society groups.
The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) revealed this in a written parliamentary reply at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
Azalina added that the Bill’s policy parameters are still being refined and would first be referred to the relevant Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC) for consideration.
She also stressed that the government’s approach to drafting the Bill – through the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department – has centred on extensive grassroots engagement.
“A total of 18 engagement sessions have been held involving not only cooperation between the federal and state governments, but also the participation of political parties, village development and security committees, chambers of commerce, business associations, NGOs, academics and youth groups,” she noted.
Of these, she said eight sessions were conducted at the state level.
“These state-level sessions will continue nationwide to obtain views and input directly from the grassroots,” she said.
She added that the feedback obtained so far has touched on matters such as public funding for political parties, disclosure of party financial reports, contribution limits and rules governing eligible and prohibited donors.
Azalina reaffirmed the government’s commitment to introducing a dedicated political financing law, which is outlined under the National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2024-2028.
She said that on Sept 8, 2023, the government had agreed that the Bill’s policy scope be referred to the PSSC on Human Rights, Elections and Institutional Reform.
Azalina said three meetings have been held thus far to review and scrutinise the proposed policy parameters, with the most recent on Aug 21, 2024, where the government’s draft alongside alternative proposals from external stakeholders have been discussed.
