PETALING JAYA – All politicians, especially party leaders, should make public their stance on the Political Financing Bill, said electoral watchdog Bersih.
“My question to all the party leaders – Umno president (Datuk Seri) Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, DAP’s secretary-general Anthony Loke and Sarawak Premier (Tan Sri) Abang Johari Openg – is what is their position on the Political Finance Bill?
“Is there a need for political financing, yes or no?” Bersih executive director Ooi Kok Hin said at the launch of a mini-documentary titled “What’s The Big Deal About Political Financing?” at Jaya One here today.
Ooi also called on Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Tan Sri Azam Baki to express his view about the bill, compared to his counterpart in Indonesia who supports such legislation.
“In Indonesia, the Political Financing and Public Funding Bill was advocated by the head of the anti-corruption commission. So, we ask our MACC chief Tan Sri Azam Baki, is there a need to regulate money in politics? We await their responses.”
Also in attendance was Shah Alam MP Azli Yusof of Amanah, who said if Bersih and other non-governmental organisations could bring more awareness to the bill, members of the public could push their elected representatives to support the proposed legislation.
“Whether it is an urban or rural seat, candidates still have to spend a lot of money to support the political activities and election campaigns.
“So I believe that this bill will help weed out corrupt practices that are linked to politics.”
Meanwhile, Subang MP Wong Chen of PKR said it was unlikely that the bill would be tabled in the coming Dewan Rakyat sitting, which starts at the end of June, but hoped to have a chance to get it tabled in the year-end session.
“Members of different political parties, which were not part of the reform agenda, would not want to support the bill. I would not be surprised if Pakatan Harapan members do not want it now.”
The Political Financing Bill seeks to enhance transparency in the reporting of finances by political parties. It intends to regulate both public and private funding of political parties, establishing offences and prescribing penalties and administrative fines for any violations of the legislation. – May 29, 2024