KUALA LUMPUR: The issue of corporate sponsors who fund political parties and later secure government contracts when the parties they supported come to power will be taken into account in the proposed Political Financing Bill, says Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) M. Kulasegaran.
He acknowledged that this was one of the core issues that led to the drafting of the Bill.
He said the Bill would also address the false perceptions that those who contribute will be able to secure projects.
“We are also looking at similar laws in other countries, which have been successful in the past few decades. I believe this matter will be taken into account and follow-up action will be taken,” he said during question time in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (Jan 26).
Kulasegaran was responding to a supplementary question by Suhaizan Kaiat (PH-Pulai) on whether this aspect will be included in the proposed Bill.
“Our main aim is to prevent corruption. There will be companies which contribute to political parties and there are those who do not. So how do we avoid the perception that the companies which have contributed managed to bag the projects and those who did not contribute did not get the project?” asked Suhaizan.
He also asked if political parties will be audited when they receive funds.
Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Ramli Mohd Nor who was presiding over the meeting also backed Suhaizan’s proposal.
“What Pulai has raised is very relevant. Should look into it,” said Ramli.
Kulasegaran said the Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU) has conducted 20 engagement series to gather feedback for the drafting of the Bill including political parties.
“Among the feedback received included public funds for political parties, the need for declaring party financial reports for the public, the permitted amount of donations and categories of permitted donors,” he said.
He added that a perception study led by International Islamic University Malaysia is ongoing and expected to end on Feb 28.
He said the findings will be collated to establish the parameters of the policies under the Bill.
The call for a law to regulate political funding has spanned over several years.
