While it agreed the proposal for political funding reforms by the National Consultative Committee on Political Financing (NCCPF) led by federal minister Paul Low, will contribute to greater transparency on the income and expenditure of political parties, G70 thinks that the proposal left out important institutional reforms.
"Apart from establishing the Office of the Controller (of political donations and expenditure), no other institutional reforms have been proposed," said the group in a statement.
G70 noted that NCCPF gave the reason that the terms of reference handed down to them by the cabinet did not include a review of the functioning of public institutions.
However it argued that matters relating to the Election Commission (EC) and the Attorney-General’s Chambers involving federal and state elections, and the prosecution of those who violate the relevant legislation, are indeed relevant as well as important to political funding reforms.
"The committee’s (NCCPF) recommendations cannot be seen as a thorough reform of the monetisation of politics unless the necessary institutional reforms are instituted," said G70.
It said institutional reforms are imperative if we are to believe that federal and state elections will be conducted in a free and fair manner.
"While the Office of the Controller can investigate and take steps to prosecute those who violate the proposed political funding laws, the AG will decide if there is a case to prosecute," it noted.
Indeed G70 posited that one if the ideas from the NCCPF's proposal, that of public oversight on the appointment of the members of the Office of the Controller can be expanded to other institutions like the EC.
"A similar system can be instituted when appointments are made to the EC, whose members must also account to a parliamentary standing committee," it said.
In relation to this, G70 also echoed worry expressed by other groups that the full disclosure that NCCPF's proposal want to enact into political funding law will not really contribute to fair elections unless proper institutional reforms are introduced.
"Full disclosure may hamper opposition parties from securing donations from businesses. Adequate institutional safeguards must be introduced to ensure donors will not be harassed, even victimised," said the group.
Stop unchecked inflow of money
In the same statement, G70 also expressed concern that the proposal not to cap donations and expenditures may undermine the primary objective of the proposals which is to stop unchecked inflow of money into our political system, allowing for a political domination by the financially well-endowed elite.
"While we acknowledge that individuals and companies have the right to support political parties, this right cannot be to the detriment of the fundamental principle of creating a level playing field during elections," it said.
Highlighting the concerns, the group calls for a public debate to discuss the matter in greater depth.
G70 is the G25-led coalition of 70 eminent individuals voicing the need for political financing reforms.
On Sep 30, Low announced NCCPF's report, Political Financing in Malaysia: Reinforcing Integrity which outlined a 32-point proposal to reform political funding in Malaysia.
The committee’s specific proposals among others included the introduction of a Political Donation & Expenditure Act (PDEA), the creation of an independent Office of the Controller and stringent disclosure of sources of funding.
