GOVT TO TABLE LAW ON POLITICAL FUNDING
Move will curb corruption and lobbying, says Dr M
THE government will table a new law on political funding to curb corruption and lobbying.
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said: “We don’t want members and supporters of political parties to give money and expect something in return.
“That is tantamount to corruption. Political funding is necessary, as elections cost money, but where is the money coming from?
“Obviously, party members and supporters will provide money for the election.
“It is the supporters’ right and they will give, with the hope that if the party wins, they will be favoured.”
He said this after chairing the second select committee meeting of the National Centre for Governance, Integrity and AntiCorruption here yesterday.
The committee is the custodian of information on assets declared by ministers, deputy ministers, political secretaries and top government officials.
The centre is headed by Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed, who is former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief commissioner.
Dr Mahathir said the government was looking into the practices of other countries, such as Germany, to see how they managed political funding.
Citing another example, he said in the United States, there was a lobbying system with groups using money to exert influence on the government.
“That is corruption. We will not allow that in Malaysia,” he added, saying that the government would formulate a law with regard to the financing of political parties, in which favours would not be doled out to donors.