THE government must step up the process of tackling corruption by tabling a political funding law and placing the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission under parliamentary oversight, Pakatan Harapan (PH) said.

In a statement, the PH presidential council said a law to govern funding for political parties was needed in light of revelations of corruption that have recently cropped up.

Among them, said the main opposition bloc, is former chief secretary Mohd Sidek Hassan’s role as an adviser to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) and revelations in another corruption case that implicates Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin. 

“According to media reports, Sidek had received RM30,000 a month from 1MDB, although there were no advisory board meetings. 

“Also exposed was how a former Ultra Kirana Sdn Bhd director in Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s corruption trial yesterday said Khairy had received RM50,000 to RM200,000 through the Rembau Umno division,” PH said.

Sidek had told the High Court last week that Najib Razak had felt his salary of RM29,125 was insufficient and that was the reason why the former prime minister appointed him to 1MDB.

The opposition said that both cases were worrying as it involved top politicians and senior civil servants. – June 14, 2022.