We need regulations on political funding


SECTION 23 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009 provides for the offence of using office or position for gratification.

Section 23(1) states that any officer of a public body who uses his office or position for any gratification, whether for himself, his relative or associate, commits an offence.

Section 23(2) states that the officer shall be presumed, until the contrary is proved, to use his office or position for any gratification, whether for himself, his relative or associate, when he makes any decision, or takes any action, in relation to any matter in which he or his relative or associate has an interest, whether directly or indirectly.

Under section 3, “officer of a public body” includes a member of the administration, an MP, and anyone receiving any remuneration from public funds.

Under the same provision, “gratification” includes donation and “associate” includes any organisation of which the person is “a person in charge or in control of” the organisation.

Simply put, a member of the administration who uses his office or position for a donation for an organisation of which he is in charge or in control of, commits an offence under section 23(1) of the act.

If there had been a political donation or funding law, like in Singapore with its Political Donations Act 2000, donations to political parties and political associations would have been regulated and therefore would not amount to gratification prohibited by law. – March 10, 2023.

* Hafiz Hassan reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.



Sign up or sign in here to comment.


Comments


  • With a political funding bill, there will surely be a drastic drop in membership of political parties ...... because ...... politics WON'T be a "skim cepat kaya" anymore.

    LOL....

    Posted 1 year ago by Malaysian First · Reply