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It is time to regulate political funding in Malaysia and stop ignoring the elephant in the room. Political funding is an integral part of the country’s political process and historically has been spared from any form of regulations. Politicians from both sides of the divide have also been reluctant to push for regulated political funding.

This was confirmed by Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Abu Kassim Mohamed in a public talk, ‘Cost and impact of corruption on national development: What we have not done yet?’ on June 4, 2015.

As a country matures politically, regulating political funding becomes imperative. It is practiced in many developed countries and enhances transparency and good governance which the Centre For A Better Tomorrow (Cenbet) holds dear to.

It is a fact that political activities require funds. What is important is that donations or contributions to politicians or their parties are properly accounted for. Transparent disclosures on sources of political funds and how it is used can help reduce risks of conflict of interests for politicians in power and their parties.

Developments in the past few weeks have only reaffirmed the pressing need to regulate political funding. For the first time, we learn of political donations to the tune of billions of ringgit, transferred into an individual’s account. This has given rise to suspicion about whether there are any strings attached, or the donor’s motives, given the staggering amount.

It is unusual for foreign entities to donate huge sums. This can give rise to questions about whether there’re any elements of money laundering, foreign interference and security risks. These are among reasons why there is a need for a transparent political funding system.

If we go by standards in developed democracies, proper guidelines on political contributions need to be drawn up, especially public disclosure on sources and how the money is used.


GAN PING SIEU is co-president, Centre For A Better Tomorrow (Cenbet).

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