Political Funding Bill: PM needs to call special meeting for discussions
MOHAMMAD KHAIRIL ASHRAF MOHD KHALID IZWAN ROZLIN
SHAH ALAM - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob should convene a special meeting among political parties to discuss the implementation of the Political Funding Bill policy.
Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) deputy president Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub said the special meeting was to enable discussions to be held on the details of matters that needed to be placed in the Bill.
"There should be an engagement session for all parties to give their views, including non-governmental bodies, individuals and prominent figures who can provide their views," he told Sinar Harian on Friday.
He said this when commenting on the Special Cabinet Committee on Anti-Corruption (JKKMAR), on Thursday which was reported to have reached an agreement on the implementation of the proposal of the Bill.
“Actually, Pakatan Harapan (PH) has also made preparations for this. We have many experts who can give their views,” he said.
Touching on the impact of the implementation of the Political Funding Bill, Salahuddin who is also the PH's vice president said this would allow political parties to be transparent in receiving funds and can be held accountable for the matter.
Apart from that, he said another effect of the implementation was that political parties do not have to accept contributions involving tycoons or business figures.
“(Concerned) that there will be a conflict of interest after the party they donated the funds to takes over in holding the power.
"So, we can discuss the Political Funding Bill in detail," he said.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said the discussions on the methods and mechanisms to implement the Bill were very important to ensure that the law is effective in the long run and to avoid laxity in the Bill.
“These methods and mechanisms should be given more thought as we do not want any 'flip flops'.
"We have to make sure that the Bill can always be used," he told a press conference after launching the National Anti-Drug Agency's Mobile Recovery Treatment service on Friday (May 20).
Commenting further, Hamzah said observations on the proposed methods and mechanisms to enforce the Bill should be led by experts.
“We are doing well in terms of policy, but in terms of details, it should be handed over to a team that is not only from the agency but also among those who are experienced.
"We take those who have practiced it in foreign countries. We make visits, and only then can we come up with something that can be used in the future," he said.
