Kuala Lumpur, 15 June 2022: The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Political Financing is concerned with the recent developments in the testimonies presented during several high-profile court cases. The testimonies exposed worrying practices in the financing of politics that must be looked upon seriously by all Malaysians.
One of the main reasons why such incidents were allowed to happen is because the financing of politics in Malaysia remain unregulated. This gap in the law opens doors for politicians to receive donations from any source, domestic or international. Furthermore, there is also no regulation on how much donations can be received by a candidate or politician. Limits on campaign spending are covered by the law, but its effectiveness and implementation is questionable. There is a need for this to be reformed in order to introduce accountability into our political financing ecosystem.
“The incidents revealed through the testimonies indicate the urgent need for a law that regulates political financing. The APPG on Political Financing welcomes the statement by the Prime Minister regarding the Cabinet’s Special Committee on Anti-Corruption (JKKMAR) agreement on the need for a Bill on Political Donations. As the APPG, we have agreed that the law should include the following principles:
· Transparency as the main pillar of reform
· Public funding of political parties should be introduced
· Establishment of an independent commission to regulate political financing
· Funding caps will be introduced for both individual and corporate donors
· Organisations with conflict of interest, such as Government-Linked Companies (GLCs) and certain foundations should be prohibited from making political donations
· Funding from foreign sources must be banned
· All funding must be channelled through political parties, not individuals
We are confident that the above principles can be a good stepping stone towards a political system that has transparency and integrity at its core. The APPG is ready to contribute to the process of drafting the Political Donations Bill. We are also open to engaging with JKKMAR to strengthen this effort,” comments YB Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, Chair of the APPG on Political Financing.
IDEAS takes the stand on ensuring that Malaysia sees a future where political parties contend in par with the right ethics, accountability and financial transparency. In that order, IDEAS and Malaysian Bar Council will be convening a joint conference named “Political Financing Act: Current Status, Challenges and the Way Forward”, on 23 June 2022 at Raja Aziz Addruse Auditorium, Wisma Badan Peguam Malaysia. This conference aims to increase the understanding of various proposals to support for a political financing reform and advocate the passing of a Political Financing Act. We believe this joint conference can bring together experts for a timely discussion on addressing Malaysia’s long battle with political corruption and unregulated financing.
To register for this joint conference, please click . To view the full programme, click .
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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)
2. YB Tuan Ahmad Fahmi bin Mohamed Fadzil (PKR – Lembah Pantai)
3. YB Puan Wong Shu Qi (DAP – Kluang)
4. YB Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Madius Tangau (UPKO – Tuaran)
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. Institut Demokrasi dan Hal Ehwal Ekonomi (IDEAS) (Sekretariat)
2. Agora Society
3. Bait Al-Amanah
4. Pusat untuk Memerangi Rasuah dan Kronisme (C4)
5. Engage Network
6. G25 Malaysia
7. Gabungan Pilihanraya Bersih dan Adil (BERSIH)
8. Rasuah Busters
9. Transparency International-Malaysia (TI-M)
10. Badan Peguam Malaysia
11. Puan Maha Balakrishnan (Pakar)
12. Prof. Wong Chin Huat (Pakar)