KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian youth aged between 20 and 39 have been vulnerable to corruption, as observed over a five-year period since 2013.
Former president of Transparency International-Malaysia (TI-M) Datuk Seri Akhbar Satar said that the age group represents 55.1 per cent of Malaysians who have been arrested for graft.
“This is a serious integrity crisis and a major concern for the country.
“We have to find the root cause of corruption and the government must address the issue before it gets worse.
“The public has become smart and aware, and are reporting corruption to the authorities.
“This is where we can learn from the European experience,” said Akhbar at the 'Political Funding in Malaysia: The European Experience' forum at the JW Marriott here, recently.
National Centre for Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption director-general Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamad warned that political corruption is the mother of all corruption cases.
“Previously, both the Opposition and the government did not object to political funding for an election.
“But now, there seems to be stronger support towards a proposal to table a law against it,” he said.
Abu Kassim said reform on political funding should be given top priority to curb corruption, which could destroy a nation.
“Once it becomes law, it will provide a new political landscape for Malaysia,” he said.
However, Abu Kassim warned that some may circumvent the law by rerouting political funding directly to a politician via a third party, like a non-governmental organisation.
Bersih 2.0 chairperson Thomas Fann cautioned that many government-linked companies are generating wealth for political party members, instead of society.
“Without a law on political funding to manage corruption, money is being used either legally of illegally for the purpose,” he said.
Universiti Malaya political economy Prof Dr Edmund Terence Gomez said that the Pakatan Harapan federal government is under intense pressure to initiate political corruption reforms since making inroads beginning in the 2008 general election.
He cited how after the 14th general election on May 9 last year, defeated Barisan Nasional parties like Umno had re-elected warlords owing to monetised elections at phenomenal levels.
“If left unchecked, money politics can undermine public confidence, promote dissent and destabilise political parties with the current ruling government (in state and federal elections).
“We need to plug the loopholes in the draft bill before it becomes law.
“Otherwise, rich businessmen will take advantage to allow politicians to retain power and further abuse the system, like in the 1MDB manipulation scandal.
“Also, we need to beware of politicians holding controlling stakes with media houses to strengthen their influence,” said Gomez.
Election Commission chairman Azhar Azizan Harun said in some countries like India, the mafia, gangsters and the underworld control politicians by financing their campaigns.
“We need ethics and moral convictions, as enforcement alone will not do,” he said.
PKR vice-president Tian Chua said that in some countries, politics even determines who attends funerals.
“Everyone seems to be born into politics with parties playing an integral role in society.
“We know that elite individuals are (controlling) political parties.
“Politics should not enrich individuals in order for them to control a party, society and the country,” he warned.
Envoys of the Netherlands, Germany and Norway spoke on how their countries allowed political funding, but that political parties and individuals are bound by law to declare and make public their books and accounts.
Dutch ambassador Karin Mossenlechner said accountability and transparency strengthen the people’s trust towards politicians.
Former country director at Konrad-Adaneur-Stiftung Malaysia Dr Klaus Pahler said that if there are avenues for abuse, even the best laws could not prevent abuse.
“Everything must be conducted beyond suspicion.
“The general public and media are there to dig up on misappropriation and abuse,” he said.
Royal Norwegian embassy deputy mission head Erland Hadland said transparency is the best weapon.
“There are no limits for political funding from labour unions and wealthy businessmen, but the source must be publicly disclosed and amount declared,” he said.