Political Funding Bill to be presented in October

SHAH ALAM – The political Funding Bill is expected to be tabled in Parliament this October.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the matter was agreed upon in an inter-governmental agencies meeting held yesterday.

“Among the important policy matters that have been discussed were linked with the establishment of a political funding regulatory entity, authorised contributors, and the setting of penalties for offenses under the law.

"To show transparency and accountability in political governance, it is appropriate that this law be implemented immediately.

“Therefore, a cabinet Memorandum is expected to be presented at the Cabinet meeting this September to enable the political funding bill to be presented at the Parliamentary session to be held in October 2022," he said in a statement.

The inter-governmental agencies discussion was joined by representatives from National Centre for Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption (GIACC), Attorney General's Chambers, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Registrar of Society (RoS), Malaysia Companies Commission and the Prime Minister’s Department Legal Affairs Division.

Wan Junaidi also said he ordered GIACC to refine the policy matters while the legal affairs division and AGC would prepare an administrative draft taking into account the views and examples of examples given by civil society organisations and non-governmental organisations.

“In addition, the comparative analysis of the application of this law from other countries needs to be implemented for the purpose of benchmarking this law,” he said.

He further suggested that the law should be aligned with existing laws under RoS and SSM as well as for the draft bill to be prepared as soon as possible to enable an engagement session to be held with all holders according to the timeline that would be provided by GIACC.