Political funding committee calls for ban on foreign donations
PETALING JAYA: The National Consultative Committee on Political Funding is proposing a ban on all political donations from foreign interests and sources.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Minister Datuk Paul Low says this was to safeguard against foreign influence on local politics as well as the sovereignty of the nation.
The proposal was among the preliminary decisions made on the issue of private political funding.
"All donations received must be notified to the controller within 14 days and must be disclosed to the public in a manner as prescribed by the appropriate Act.
"If the donations are not disclosed, then such donations will be deemed as gratification and both the receiver and the donor should be charged under anti-corruption laws in the country," he said in a statement after chairing the third meeting of the Committee on Tuesday.
The main aim of the Committee was to produce a comprehensive and workable agenda for reform and regulation of political funding in Malaysia.
The Committee also suggested that Government-linked corporations, contractors or concessionaires should not be allowed to make political donations, either to a party or an individual.
It also said there was no need to place a limit on private funding from corporations and individuals.
"Donations in other forms or kind are disallowed unless it is declared in advance to the controller, which may be prescribed in the manner and detail of disclosure as provided under the Act," said Low.
Political donations, he said, must be kept in separate bank accounts to allow all receipts and expenditure to be verified by an independent auditor appointed by the controller, if necessary.
"Anonymous donations are allowed for amounts not exceeding RM1,000. This is specifically to facilitate crowdfunding initiatives through the Internet," he said.
Low also said that the committee was on track to complete its tasks within the time frame of one year as announced by the Government in August last year
