Anwar Ibrahim stressed on economic reform over institution or political reform.
Given the current economic situation, demand on the national coffer is endless but contribution into the fund getting challenging. Livelihood should take precedent over high-falluting ideals.
If there is any reform that need expediting, political funding would be one. Anwar's expressed willingness to do so in November last year.
This blogger is in sync but not so much for the need of a framework to govern political funding as expressed by C7, but more for the reason expressed by the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said to mitigate corruption risks.
According to Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Commissioner, Tan Sri Azam Baki, policy development for the Political Financing Bill is on going and the bill slated for tabling in Parliament in 2026.
This effort initiated by GIACC was disbanded by the change in administration in late 2022 is moving forward with engagement with stakeholders.
The Star's report today on the matter is rather interesting as it is the blogger's personal view that Malaysia emulate US practises as below:
‘Political financing law won’t succeed if govt doesn’t chip in’
By SHERIDAN MAHAVERA
NATION
Friday, 07 Mar 2025
KUALA LUMPUR: Government funding must be available for political parties, whether big or small, in the proposed law to regulate money in politics, say lawmakers, experts and civil society activists.
This element will go a long way to getting the buy-in from all political parties for the proposed Political Financing Bill, which is a major institutional reform being pursued by the unity government.
A Bar Council representative said there is no point in having such a law that does not include public or government financing for political parties because it will just be a reporting mechanism for political funding.
“The experiences in other countries have shown that when it is just a reporting mechanism, it can lead to donations drying up for parties in the opposition because people may be afraid of giving money to them,” said the representative identified as Rama.
These arguments for taxpayer funding for political parties were made in a stakeholder engagement session organised by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
The session saw researchers, political scientists, political party and civil society representatives giving feedback.
Kluang MP Wong Shu Qi also echoed the view that public funds should be made available for political parties, saying that it is a “carrot” to gain support.
“What we have so far are rules to regulate donations and who can give funds.
“These are sticks. But we need a carrot to get all political parties on board so that the law can be formulated and passed,” Wong said at the event.
PKR secretary-general Fuziah Salleh said receiving government funds could significantly reduce the risk of political parties being beholden or unduly influenced by big donors.
“Big donors give lots of money to a political party because they want something in return if that party gains power,” said Fuziah, who is also Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs deputy minister.
“This act is supposed to prevent political parties from being beholden and public financing can play a role in this,” she said.
The session also revealed the state of deliberations thus far on the law and ideas that have been proposed by government officials and the All Party Parliamentary Group (KRPPM), a collective of MPs from all parties.
There are 12 outstanding issues that need to be agreed upon before the proposal can proceed.
Another issue is whether there should be limits on donations, whether in cash or in kind, and the types of corporations that can donate to political parties.
Among the other points of contention are:
* Who the law should be applied to – political party members, elected representatives, their agents, their staff and campaign representatives;
* Whether annual reports on donations to political parties should be made public;
* Whether donors can remain anonymous;
* Whether the entity responsible for implementing and enforcing the law is a controller of political donations or an independent political financing commission;
* Whether the police or Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission will have powers to enforce it;
* What are the offences and punishment for breaching the law and who should be liable for prosecution; and
* Whether there should be a list of types of donations that are forbidden.
In her remarks before the session, Azalina said such stakeholder discussions will be expanded to town hall meetings with voters in all states to gather more public feedback.
“Our law will not necessary be a perfect law but our hope is that by having such a law we can prevent political parties from being ‘captured’ by their donors and dispel misconceptions towards politicians.
“I personally support such a law and aim for it to be ready before the 16th General Election,” she said.
Azalina also said she will chair a meeting with the secretaries-general of all political parties and the government to discuss the proposed Political Financing Bill soon.
“The meeting will help determine each party’s stance on the proposal for the Bill’s drafting and discuss outstanding policy issues,” she said in a parliamentary written reply yesterday.
She added that the government will seek input from both government and opposition parties through universities, which will act as neutral facilitators.
Additionally, the meeting will incorporate perspectives from stakeholders and the public to ensure that decisions are inclusive and reflective of societal needs.
“Through this approach, the government can ensure that every step taken is based on accurate and transparent data, ultimately benefiting society as a whole,” Azalina said.
As of February, eight engagement sessions had been conducted – five with political party representatives and government agencies, and three with the Special Select Committee on Human Rights, Elections and Institutional Reform.
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In the US, taxpayers money is allocated under the presidential public funding program to pay for qualified expenses of the political campaigns of eligible presidential candidates in both the primary and general elections via primary matching funds and general election funds.
If adopted in Malaysia, it will be a different funding arrangement for Malaysia's Westminister style parliamentary practise.
The qualification criteria for candidates and contribution amount will need to determined. However, government funding program need not be only as cash contribution to political parties and candidates.
For instance, public facilities to hold political rallies such as townhall and stadiums could be made available to all and for free. There should not be a need to put up "pondok panas" or command centres any more.
Government funding could be the impetus to limit exorbitant overhead of political campaign and operations. A permanent service centre for elected YBs provided by government than being funded privately.
Wasteful poster war could be stopped. No more are posters and flags put up as show of strength for psychological advantage or festivity. It should be limited and to specific areas meant to make known to constituent the contesting political parties and candidates.
Having experienced two US Presidential elections, there were hardly any posters seen in town. Most of the information and election activities are available and fairly reported in the media. The election is happening in the media and not on the streets.
If access to media could be fair and equal to all candidates, voters could make informed decisions. Perhaps, the Election Commission could have their own media to publish the activities and manifesto of all candidates.
It should no more be allowed for political parties to hold large scale feasts, goodies for voters visits, gigantic billboards, and free motorcycle engine oil.
This way election campaign should not cost millions to run and representatives get elected for their capability or aspirations than financial inducement or deep pocket of their donor or the party they represent.
Azalina said no foreign funding will be allowed, so it means political funding must be done in a transparent manner and the identity of donors disclosed like done in US.
Is Malaysian politics ready for such drastic change?
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