Opposition MPs split over call to boycott Putrajaya’s political financing reform agenda

(Malay Mail Online) – While in agreement that the time has come for ministers to declare their assets, federal opposition lawmakers appear divided on backing PKR’s call to boycott Putrajaya’s bid to regulate political funding.

Among the first to voice support for the government initiative is DAP’s Dr Ong Kian Ming (pic), but the Serdang MP wants the proposed National Consultative Committee on Political Fundings (JKNMPP) to take a more “holistic” approach to legislating money for political parties.

Ong, who has expressed his party’s readiness to participate in the committee, said the committee should also include a requirement for political leaders to publicly declare their assets, as has been done by the DAP-led Penang state government.

“At this moment, I don’t see that happening,” he told Malay Mail Online yesterday when asked if DAP would join PKR’s call to boycott Putrajaya’s political financing reform plans.

DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang told Malay Mail Online that the party’s central committee has yet to meet and decide on their official position on the matter.

“I’ve seen what Kian Ming is saying, but the party has to take a position. We’re meeting in a few days and we will take a position.

“On political funding, we’re pretty clear, but what is our position in response to this proposal of a national consultative council, the party has not decided yet,” the Gelang Patah MP said.

PAS representative Datuk Mahfuz Omar said a boycott was premature, and hinted that he may be supportive if the move to regulate political funding was done properly.

“It is still too early to want to call for a boycott, but having said that, I agree with Rafizi on the prime minister and Cabinet ministers declaring their assets,” the Pokok Sena MP told Malay Mail Online when contacted.

Yesterday, PKR’s Rafizi Ramli mooted a boycott of the government’s effort to enact a new law to regulate political financing until Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his ministers took the first step to declare their assets publicly.

The Pandan MP’s call however has found favour with two others, his party vice-president and Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar and Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad

Both Nurul Izzah and Khalid said the onus is on Najib and his administration to prove that they practised transparency by disclosing what they owned and by addressing the RM2.6 billion “donation” into the prime minister’s personal bank accounts.

“While Malaysia urgently needs reform of political financing, it bears reminding that until and unless we address the RM2.6 billion scandal since a donation is still within the definition of ‘gratification’ under the MACC Act 2009,” Nurul Izzah told Malay Mail Online.

She said the condition has been supported by the Bar Council, which has refused to be part of the committee to study the regulation of political funds.

“We must not put the cart before the horse. The integrity and independence of our institutions must be put in place before we fulfil any whimsical deflections by the PM.

“We cannot and should not proceed with such discussions. How can Najib and his other sycophants of government leaders be expected to be transparent and accountable when they’re not required to be at party level?” she asked.

Khalid said the ministers must overtly prove their claims to be the beacons of democratic principles and transparency before making any new laws on political funding.

“Once you have cleaned your house, then come and talk to us,” said the lawmaker who is now aligned to PAS splinter group Harapan Baru.

Khalid said that there were concerns that the proposed law would be used to clamp down on opposition parties as well as their sources of funds.

Najib announced last Friday the formation of a bipartisan panel to regulate political funding, but the Malaysian Bar has said it will not participate in the panel as investigations into the RM2.6 billion deposited into Najib’s account are ongoing, noting that the proposal for the committee will be seen as a distraction from corruption allegations.