Umno information chief Annuar Musa is citing Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak receiving RM2.6 billion and local organisations receiving grants from George Soros' Open Society Foundation (OSF) as examples why foreign funding must be regulated.

"It's just like how people are attacking the issue of RM2.6 billion, it is known that the RM2.6 billion is for the general election.

"But what will be the basis of evaluating it, whether it is right or wrong, where did it (the money) go to and where did it come from, should it be reported or not?

"There is no legal basis (to regulate it), so such experiences strengthen the justification for regulating and supervising political funding," he said.

Annuar was commenting on the issue of Malaysian organisations such as Bersih, Merdeka Centre and Malaysiakini had allegedly received funding from US-based OSF, which was revealed from leaked emails.

He warned that if left unchecked, it could lead to foreign meddling.

"Not only will there be foreign meddling in the country's politics but there could also be subversive elements." 

The grant to Malaysiakini was for KiniTV to produce Sarawak-based programmes, namely Realiti Sarawak and Sekilas Bumi Kenyalang.

Najib had claimed the RM2.6 billion in his personal bank accounts was from a member of the Saudi royal family but the US Department of Justice believed it originated from 1MDB.

The prime minister had denied wrongdoing or taking public funds for personal gain.

Meanwhile, Minister in Prime Minister's Department Azalina Othman Said in a statement said the OSF funding should raise concerns as it showed "foreign meddling".

"A detailed investigation should be conducted to ensure the funds were not abused and used to threaten the country's sovereignty," she said.

She added that this justified the proposed Political Donations and Expenditure Act and called for its planned jurisdiction to cover NGOs.

"We are concerned that this uncontrolled foreign meddling will lead to certain agenda that can damage the country."