Kuala Lumpur, 24 June 2022: The Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) organised a joint conference with the Bar Council on the 23rd of June 2022, with the title “Political Financing Act: Current Status, Challenges and the Way Forward.” This joint conference was an effort to heighten the pressure on the government to table the Political Financing Act.

This joint conference featured:

Session 1: Transparency in Political Financing: A Tool against Political Corruption 

1. Prof Wong Chin Huat, Professor, Governance Studies Division, Jeffrey Cheah Institute on Southeast Asia, Sunway University
2. Dr Terence Gomez, Former Professor, Political Economy, University of Malaya
3. Benedict Weerasena, Research Director, Bait Al-Amanah

Session 2: Public Funding in a Political Financing Act 

1. Dr Fernando Casal Bertoa, Associate Professor, School of Politics and International Relations, University of Nottingham UK 
2. Thomas Fann, Chairperson, BERSIH and member of  the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Political Financing
3. YB Fahmi Fadzil, MP for Lembah Pantai and Vice-Chair of the APPG on Political Financing

Session 3: Independence of Regulating Political Financing: A Proposed New Commission 

1. YB Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Madius Tangau, MP for Tuaran and member of APPG on Political Financing 
2. Dato’ Sri M Ramachelvam, Chairperson, Law Reforms and Special Areas Committee, Bar Council
3. Alan Kirupakaran, Board Member, Transparency International-Malaysia 

Session 4: Challenges of a Political Financing Act 

1. Cynthia Gabriel, Executive Director, C4 Center
2. Andrew Khoo, Chairperson, Constitutional Law Committee, Bar Council
3. YB Maria Chin Abdullah, MP for Petaling Jaya and Vice-Chair of the APPG for Sustainable Development Goals

“The journey we have taken to fight for transparency in political financing has been long, but we must start somewhere. We hope that today’s conference will reignite the commitment to table this Act and prevent political corruption from becoming more serious,” comments Tricia Yeoh, CEO of IDEAS.

“To put it simply, a lack of transparency in how elections are funded can lead to abuse of power, which can then lead to corruption. Corruption truncates human rights because it gives certain citizens an unfair advantage over another,” said Karen Cheah, President of the Bar Council in her welcoming speech. “It is beyond any doubt that the abuse of power, corruption and elections that are funded through unsavoury means have no place in a mature democracy that prides itself in abiding by the rule of law. Such lack of transparency has not only undermined public confidence in our institutions but has also negatively impacted Malaysia’s reputation in the international community,” she added.

The main takeaways from the conference were:

1. The research and discourse on political financing reforms have been going on since 2009, however concrete action and efforts have been slow
2. An independent body to regulate political financing is paramount: this body can be the Eelection Commission, the Registrar of Societies or a new body/commission set up for this specific purpose
3. Public funding is important as it helps to reduce political corruption and restore trust
4. Political financing is just one of the many reforms which we need. Other crucial points include asset declaration, reformation of the EC and professionalisation of politics
5. Money is important for political parties to function and carry out activities such as policy research
6. Institutional reforms must be viewed as being equally important to bread and butter issues – one of the causes of poverty is corruption
7. With proper funding, political parties have the resources to develop quality policies that the rakyat needs
8. The regulation of political financing contributes to the reduction in corruption, which ensures that taxpayers’ money and public resources are not wasted 

“We must view political financing reform as part of our greater effort to strengthen political parties. Weak political parties lead to poor policies – which are often populist or short-term in thinking. The Political Financing Act is integral in strengthening our democracy and political parties,” commented Tricia Yeoh.

— END —

Download Media Statement PDF File Here

For enquiries, please contact:
Aira Azhari, Senior Manager, Democracy and Governance
T: +603 2070 8881/8882 | E: aira@ideas.org.my

Louis Denis, External Relations Manager
T: +603 2070 8881/8882 | E: louis@ideas.org.my

About the APPGM on Political Financing

The APPGM on Political Financing was approved by the Dewan Rakyat on 20 April 2022. The main objective of the APPGM is to establish a platform where MPs, Senators and CSOs can deliberate and discuss the importance of political financing reforms in Malaysia.

APPGM on political financing members

Members of Parliament

1.     YB Tuan Ahmad Fadhli bin Saari (PAS -Pasir Mas)

• Chairman

2.     YB Tuan Ahmad Fahmi bin Mohamed Fadzil (PKR – Lembah Pantai)

• Deputy Chairman

3.     YB Puan Wong Shu Qi (DAP – Kluang)

• Secretary

4.     YB Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Madius Tangau (UPKO – Tuaran)

•   Treasurer

5.     YB Dato’ Sri Saifuddin bin Abdullah (PPBM – Indera Mahkota)

6.     YB Dato’ Seri Utama Mukhriz bin Tun Dr. Mahathir (Pejuang – Jerlun)

7.     YB Datuk Seri Haji Ahmad bin Haji Maslan (UMNO – Pontian)

8.     YB Tuan Syed Saddiq bin Syed Abdul Rahman (MUDA – Muar)

9.     YB Tuan Larry Soon@Larry Sng Wei Shien (Parti Bangsa Malaysia – Julau)

Senator

YB Puan Fadhlina binti Dato’ Sidek, Pulau Pinang (PKR)

CSO Members

1.      Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) (Secretariat)

2.      Agora Society

3.      Bait Al-Amanah

4.      Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4)

5.      Engage Network

6.      G25 Malaysia

7.      Gabungan Pilihanraya Bersih dan Adil (BERSIH)

8.      Rasuah Busters

9.      Transparency International-Malaysia (TI-M)

10.  Malaysian Bar Council

11.  Puan Maha Balakrishnan (Expert)

12.  Prof. Wong Chin Huat (Expert)