Kuala Lumpur, 25 June 2024: The Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) reports significant findings from the Pantau Dana Politik quiz, launched in December 2023 as part IDEAS’ efforts to gauge public support for the Political Financing Act. Since its launch, the Pantau Dana Politik quiz has seen impressive engagement, with 2,770 users completing the entire experience and 12,259 users completing at least one educational page, contributing to a total of 107,652 pages of educational content completed.

Survey responses, as part of the quiz, indicated strong public support for greater transparency in political financing, with 73.9% of respondents agreeing that political parties should be more transparent about their funding sources. Additionally, 63.7% supported the idea of public funding for political parties, and 55% expressed support for a Political Financing Act. 

“The majority support for transparency mechanisms and public funding emphasises the need for the government to legislate a Political Financing Act reflecting these principles. However, as per September 2023, public funding remains absent from the Cabinet’s policy provisions. Public funding for political parties is not a new policy proposal. With two-thirds of countries worldwide practising this, it is clear that effective political financing legislation must include public funding provisions. Among the important benefits of public funding include the dilution of influence of big business on politics as well as strengthening the political party system in Malaysia, thus bolstering the health of our democracy,” comments Dr Tricia Yeoh, CEO of IDEAS.

“The Pantau Dana Politik quiz is the first of its kind in Malaysia, and is a useful tool to gauge the public’s understanding of the urgent need for a Political Financing Act in Malaysia. We are encouraged by the public’s engagement with the quiz, and I hope our policymakers are paying attention,” adds Dr Yeoh.

IDEAS invites the public to participate in the quiz and join the movement for accountability in political financing. The Pantau Dana Politik quiz is available at pantaudanapolitik.com in Malay, English, and Mandarin. We urge the public to share the quiz with colleagues, family and friends and on social media platforms.

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About Pantau Dana Politik

The Pantau Dana Politik quiz is a collaborative effort by IDEAS and Digital Public Square, a Canadian not-for-profit organisation focused on using technology to connect communities worldwide. It is an educational digital experience designed to inform the Malaysian public about the urgent need for a Political Financing Act. Available in Malay, English, and Simplified Chinese, the quiz focuses on the issues of corrupt political financing and proposed solutions, guiding users through educational content, opinion questions, and comprehension tests. It is based on the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Political Financing’s Political Financing Bill, which serves as a foundational framework for comprehensive reform, addressing essential provisions such as public funding, donation limits, disclosure and reporting requirements, and the establishment of an independent regulatory body to oversee political financing in Malaysia.

We would like to encourage the public to send us an email at syazwan@ideas.org.my if you have any questions regarding Pantau Dana Politik.

Download Media Statement PDF File Here

For enquiries, please contacti:
Ryan Panicker
Assistant Manager, Advocacy and Events
T: 03 – 2070 8881/8882 | E: ryannesh@ideas.org.my