PRIME Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the government has agreed in principle to the proposed enactment of a political funding bill and the policy scope would be tabled to the cabinet soon.

He said the decision was reached at the meeting of the Special Cabinet Committee on Anti-Corruption, which he chaired today.

He said the bill was important as there has yet to be any law or policy in the country that regulates the financial activities of political parties.

“It can prevent the risks of corruption and abuse of power involving politicians, which could bring negative impact to the country’s image and the to the government,” he said in a statement today.

The prime minister said the proposed bill would be tabled to the cabinet for discussion first before engagement sessions are held with political parties.

Ismail added that the committee also agreed to perform a comprehensive study into separating the powers of the attorney-general and prosecution.

“The committee has agreed that a more in-depth study be done as it involves the constitution, law and finance.”

It also agreed to come up with an extensive plan to develop the National Good Governance Plan (MyGovernance) and for the National Financial Crime Centre (NFCC) to be appointed as a central agency to manage seized and forfeited properties.

“MyGovernance aims to increase and strengthen the capacity of public service delivery towards achieving the national vision as well as address issues of weaknesses in governance aspects in the government, including statutory bodies,” Ismail said in a statement.

“The plan is based on four principles of good governance, namely transparency, accountability, efficiency and effectiveness.”

Any government institution’s quality of governance will be measured through the Malaysian Governance Index (MGI), he said.

Ismail said that the National Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption Centre (GIACC) will be conducting a study and discussion with various parties which will then be discussed at the upcoming special cabinet committee meeting.

“The role of the NFCC as a centralised agency is important and needs to be accelerated to effectively combat financial crime and curb the leakage of government revenue.”

A total of 26 out of 53 acts related to property management policies that involve seized and forfeited need to be amended in order to be implemented, he said. – May 19, 2022.