Gifts and corruption - state the difference in Political Financing Act, says Umno man

SHAH ALAM - The Political Financing Act needs to be enacted immediately as a guideline for whether funds are considered a gift or bribes.

Umno Youth Chief Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the need for the act to be reformed was also voiced to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Chief Tan Sri Azam Baki during a meeting on Tuesday.

"I pointed out the importance of us having a political fund act because right now as if there is a thin line whether something is defined as corruption or gifts.

"For example, as Umno Youth Chief, if a party is confident in my cause and wants to contribute and fund it wholeheartedly, would their contributions be seen as a bribe?” he said yesterday.

He said the guidelines need to be improved not to confuse leaders and potentially lead them toward corruption.

"My discussion with the MACC Chief also involves the questions about the law and the need for an internal system to decide on funds being a gift. If it is one, it must be reported with transparency.

"Imagine if a Tan Sri gives me a specific amount to fund a program for development programme or party education and such, as a leader, I need to report it to the grassroot members or leaders so they know that there’s certain amount of money coming in,” he said.