KUALA LUMPUR: The proposed Political Funding Act could serve as a guide to differentiate political funds and contributions to parties or politicians for categorisation as corruption, says the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

       Its chief commissioner, Datuk Seri Azam Baki, said presently there was no specific law on political funding, but the Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption Centre (GIACC) had drafted a law to be tabled to the Special Committee on Corruption.

       “The GIACC has completed the draft law, which I am party to.

       “Certain scopes have been set, among others, the need for political parties to report and declare funds received from any organisation.

       “There is also a need to set up a regulator, or comptroller, to regulate the funds,” he said in a special virtual interview with the media in conjunction with the MACC’s 54th anniversary celebration.

       Azam said it was time for politicians to agree on the implementation of the law, like if there was a need to control political funds for elections, similar to the one the United States allows for political funding, by declaring its sources.

       He 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.

       “It is difficult for the MACC to differentiate between political funds and bribery, hence investigations would have to be conducted when it receives reports on a politician receiving funds,” he added.

       In October 2019, then Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Liew Vui Keong, said the government would table the Political Funding Bill which would focus on the regulatory aspect of political contributions.

       He said the Bill was fundamental in eliminating corruption and creating a corruption-free ecosystem among future generations based on the principles of transparency, accountability and integrity.

       On the proposal to establish the Anti-Corruption Services Commission, Azam said the matter has been submitted to the special committee so that the MACC could be more independent.

       “When we have our own service commission, we decide on the recruitment and termination of officers and staff,” he said.

       Currently, the recruitment and termination of MACC officers and staff are under the supervision of the Public Service Commission. — Bernama