KUALA LUMPUR: The government is likely to set up a body to regulate political funding when the bill on political donations is passed in Parliament.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the proposed regulatory body will also decide on the contributors allowed as well as the penalty against offenders in the proposed law.
He has since instructed the Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU) of the Prime Minister's Department and Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) to prepare a draft involving the administration of the proposed regulating body.
"The draft will take into considerations the views and examples made by civil society organisations and non-governmental organisations," Wan Junaidi said today.
The proposal was discussed during a meeting he chaired on the Political Funding Bill. Present were the National Centre for Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption (GIACC) A-GC, Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Registrar of Societies (RoS), Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) and BHEUU.
Wan Junaidi also said a Cabinet Ministers' memorandum on the bill would be tabled during the weekly ministerial meeting next month.
This, he said, was to expedite and ensure the bill could be tabled during the October Dewan Rakyat sitting.
Wan Junaidi said he had instructed for the draft bill to be completed as soon as possible.
"This will enable engagement sessions with all stakeholders according to the time to be decided by GIACC.
"This also reflects the transparency and accountability (of the current federal administration).
"Therefore, it is necessary for such a law to be introduced as soon as possible," he said in a statement.
Wan Junaidi also said the government would carry out a comparative analysis on implementing the proposed law with those in place in other countries.
This, he said, must be conducted to establish a benchmark when the law came into force.