PUTRAJAYA, Aug 14 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today announced the formation of a bi-partisan panel to gather input for a law to regulate political funding, saying this was necessary to ensure the country practiced “healthy” politics.
Najib denied the idea was a result of the furore over the RM2.6 billion donation deposited into this personal accounts, and said the panel, called the National Consultative Committee on Political Fundings (JKNMPP), was a follow-up to his pledge to regulate political fundings in 2009.
“This plan that will deal with the issue of political fundings is very important, as even when I raised this in 2009 with other parties, it did not gather support,” Najib said in a statement read out to the press here.
The panel, which will comprise representatives from political parties, academics, thinkers, civil society groups and public figures, will be headed by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of the “integrity portfolio” Datuk Paul Low.
Low will be aided by Datuk Seri Idris Jala, also a minister in the PM’s Department.
The committee will have one year to draft the law, which is expected to be implemented before the 14th general election.
Najib said the committee will also advise the government on matters of “political integrity”, and provide forums for its members to give inputs to decide and hold public consultations nationwide for the law drafting process.
“There is an urgent need to regulate political funding to ensure accountability and transparency in order to practice healthy politics… it is with hope that this plan would raise confidence not only towards members of political parties, but to the people and the next generation,” he added.
The prime minister said he hoped the plan will also be supported by the opposition.
He previously claimed that opposition parties were dismissive of the idea when it was first mooted in 2009.
“I hope they will support this because this is necessary for cleaner politics with more integrity,” Najib said today.
When asked again if the plan was made after the political donation he received was revealed, the prime minister maintained that he had “openly” suggested the idea a few years ago.
“I have stated this in 2009 a few times and I have mentioned this openly in fact. This is not something new”.
