PETALING JAYA: The proposal to introduce federal financing in the Political Funding Bill will benefit all political parties, says the chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group Malaysia (APPGM) on Political Financing, Wong Chen.
The Subang MP told The Star that the quantum of the allocation received by political parties would be based on the votes they received in the general elections.
“The state funding will be based on election results, irrespective of party, so if a political party wins a seat and receives a total of 500,000 votes, the government will fund the party per vote received,” he said when contacted.
“For example, if the government pays RM10 per vote, then the party will receive RM5mil per year.”
Wong said the draft bill for political financing would be presented to the Law and Institutional Reforms Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said for the government’s consideration.
“We have had the Bill ready since last November. But the committees were only activated on May 22,” he said when asked when the draft Bill would be prepared.
He said APPGM would also be working with the Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Human Rights, Election and Institutional Reform headed by Selayang MP William Leong.
“State funding of political parties is implemented in most advanced democracies as a means to curb political corruption,” said Wong.
During the APPGM’s press conference in Parliament on Wednesday, Wong also called for the Political Funding Bill to be expedited to curb corruption and the exploitation of donations to political parties by influential figures and corporations.
Commenting on this, political pundit Dr Tunku Mohar Tunku Mohd Mokhtar of the International Islamic University Malaysia said the proposal could work when there is comprehensive legislation in place.
“Generally, a formula has to be established in terms of the allocation of public funds to political parties. Basically, a threshold has to be set, and parties will receive funds that correspond with their popular votes or seats in the legislature.
“If properly implemented, this practice can promote transparency and accountability. Political parties would surely have added funds for their operations, which can help them get more support,” he added.
However, he said the proposal should not be rushed and should be part of comprehensive legislation on political funding.
“Such legislation should include annual reporting or auditing of political financing, including contributions through membership fees, public funds that come from taxpayers, as well as donations from individuals and the corporate sector (whose identities must be revealed).
“Such legislation would change the current secrecy regarding parties’ financing. Without this legislation, it is unwise to implement this proposal.
“The pros would be that it (would provide) a more level playing field and public confidence in political parties, while the cons are that it may favour big parties,” said Tunku Mohar, adding that political parties should also endeavour to be as transparent as possible about their funding sources.
He said Germany had a similar model, where parties have political foundations, such as the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, a foundation associated with the centre-right Christian Democratic Union.
