APPGM on Political Financing chair and Subang MP Wong Chen

KUALA LUMPUR (May 24): All-Party Parliamentary Group Malaysia (APPGM) on Political Financing has called for the government to consider implementing provisions for state funding of political parties into the proposed political financing law towards deterring corruption at the party level.

“There are some Members of Parliament (MP) who have seen the draft law, and they say there was no political element in the draft on state funding — if we truly want to fight corruption at the party level, we need state funding,” APPGM on Political Financing chair and Subang MP Wong Chen told the press on Wednesday (May 24).

“Voters may think all politicians are rich but that is not true. If we do not have a state funding provision, Datuk’s, Datuk Seri’s, Tan Sri’s and Tun’s will make donations to the party and that will be very detrimental to fighting corruption in the country,” Wong said, adding that state funding is an important element of democracy and is practiced in advanced democracies around the world.

He continued that state funding of political parties is an essential element to raise Malaysia’s standards on the international level, ensure Parliament functions smoothly, and the government operates without corruption

“We want to thank the government for taking the time to respond that they are looking into this matter seriously,” he said in reference to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reforms) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said’s written reply to a question posed by Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong on Monday (May 22) pertaining to the government’s consideration of state funding of political parties.

In her written reply on Monday, Azalina said the government is committed to combating corruption, and noted that any changes will need to get Cabinet approval.

“Following the political developments after the 15th General Election, the political landscape in Malaysia has also experienced some changes with new coalitions being formed. Therefore, engagement sessions need to continue to get feedback from parties and stakeholders so the bill enacted is inclusive and comprehensive,” Azalina said.

“In this regard, the proposed Political Funding Bill will be referred to the PAC (Public Accounts Committee) so that MPs’ views and suggestions on political funding are taken into account,” she added.