KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 30 ― Umno Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan today called for the scrutiny of donations collected at opposition parties’ "ceramahs” to be included in the proposal for a new political funding law.

Abdul Rahman, who is also BN Strategic Communications Director, said that the RM3,000 threshold before a donor must be named as suggested by the special panel on political funding this morning was too large a sum, and that even small donation drives can collect large sums of money.

"I believe this new initiative should not just look at big amount donations. The weekly Opposition ‘ceramahs’ which involve donation drive through passing around ‘tin milo’ to collect donations from the attendees should also be scrutinised,” Abdul Rahman said in a statement.

"In addition, donation drive through sponsored dinners must be look [sic] at. Perhaps each donation is small but since the volume is large, the final figure could be huge and could run into millions in one year.”

He added that the law should also oversee "over promises” by the opposition during election campaigns.

"Corruption during election is not just about money. Over promising to the electorates also can be a form of corruption. The Opposition is notoriously known for this,” he said.

"They like to promise the moon and the stars without regards to the adverse consequences to the economy and the future of the nation. Who is going to monitor that?”

Earlier today, a bipartisan panel on political funding led by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Senator Datuk Paul Low mooted 32 recommendations for a Political Donations and Expenditure Act (PDEA) which include an independent oversight body which will be overseen by the Controller of Political Donations and Expenditure (Controller).

Among the points is the suggestion to compel all donors contributing RM3,000 and above to be named, ban foreign donors, confiscate money from unknown sources, and have unlimited cap on spending.