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Political Funding Bill must include model for state funding

KUALA LUMPUR: The Political Funding Bill must have a model for state funding, said Transparency International-Malaysia (TI-M) president Dr Muhammad Mohan.

This, he said, would lessen the need for political parties to seek alternative funding.

"It will also help support elected representatives who have won a mandate from the people," he said when contacted.

Muhammad was responding to a question on what should be included in the bill, which is expected to be tabled for the first and second readings in Dewan Rakyat next month.

On the need for an oversight body to monitor political donations in every state as proposed in a new law on political financing, Muhammad said it would require more information as no other countries had implemented the move.

"The government is proposing for an agency at every state level to monitor political funding.

"(But) we have not heard of this in other countries, and this will require more information on how this will be implemented and who will monitor these state agencies."

He, however, said any agency formed with regulatory objectives must have several features.

"First, be independent of the executive in so far as having the capability to report fairly without needing prior approval.

"Second, the agency is headed by experienced, capable people who have a strong reputation for being fair and ethical.

"Third, the agency must have enforcement powers so that it can take action against anyone who transgresses the bill.

"Last, it must make the findings public, including maintaining an open and updated database of political donors (perhaps above a certain threshold) that is accessible to all."

On Sunday, a local portal reported that Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said an agency to control political donations in every state was one of the proposals in a new law on political financing being drafted by the government.

Wan Junaidi said the money should not be kept or hidden in certain places, as the political donations must go through a fund that was administered by a responsible party.

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