A proposed Political Funding Act could serve as a guide to differentiate political funds and contributions to parties or politicians from corruption as the Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption Centre (GIACC) had drafted a law to be tabled to the Special Committee on Corruption.

Under the draft law proposed by the GIACC certain scopes have been set, among others, the need for political parties to report and declare funds received from any organization.

GIACC will also look into the need to set up a regulator, or comptroller, to regulate the funds.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) stated that it was time for politicians to agree on the implementation of the law, as there was a need to control political funds for elections by declaring its sources.

MACC said politicians should support enforcing the law to prove they are clean and free of corruption or power abuse, as this reflects integrity and a transparent leadership.

Currently, it is difficult for the MACC to differentiate between political funds and bribery and as a result investigations have to be conducted when it receives reports on a politician receiving funds.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE