No issues expediting political financing Bill, PM tells Dewan Rakyat


KUALA LUMPUR: There are no issues to expedite the proposed political financing Bill, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The Prime Minister said the Bill is currently being reviewed by the relevant bi-partisan Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC).

“I have no objection to expediting the proposed Bill. In fact, the Cabinet has agreed to table it.

“But there must be parameters set which are currently being discussed by the parliamentary committee,” he said during the Minister’s Question Time session at the Dewan Rakyat here, Thursday (Nov 21).

Anwar said this to a supplementary question by Datuk Awang Hashim (PN-Pendang) seeking the progress of the political funding and allowances for the opposition Members of Parliament.

On Oct 15, Anwar said the policy and scope of the proposed political funding law have yet to be finalised as the matter is still under scrutiny by the PSSC.

On Sept 8 last year, Anwar said the Cabinet had agreed that the scope of the proposed law be referred to the PSSC in charge of human rights, elections and institutional reforms.

He added that the Cabinet decided to avoid pushing the proposed law through before it is fine-tuned to avoid negative implications.

The initial proposal was submitted to the PSSC on Nov 9, based on a draft political funding law prepared by the former National Centre for Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption (GIACC).

Following its restructuring, the GIACC is now a division under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

A proposal for a law on political funding was noted in 2015 and gained traction following the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal.

In 2022, there were plans to fast-track the tabling of a political funding Bill in Parliament, which was to have been drafted by the GIACC.

However, the GIACC was disbanded following the change of administration in late 2022.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In Nation

Malaysia, UK optimistic about securing swift settlement for Gaza, says Anwar
Fifteen calls made from complainant's phone to Ebit Lew's number, witness tells court
Man detained for assaulting, pointing knife at wife
Muar factory technician loses more than RM130,000 to online love scam
Four arrested over viral video of man being beaten with steering lock
'Our ties are stronger than ever', Starmer tells Anwar during meet at No 10
Govt does not restrict investments in Opposition-ruled states, says PM's pol-sec
Anwar meets UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer
Tighter border controls lead to fewer Malaysians marrying in southern Thailand
T'ganu Perhilitan steps up search for mother bear and cub

Others Also Read