MP against political funding law as such donations lead to corruption

There have been renewed calls from politicians and civil societies for the enactment of a political funding act recently due to the rising number of corruption court cases.

However, Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim has differed from many of his colleagues in this matter, saying that he does not believe in political donations in the first place, let alone such an act.

“All the donations given by companies or whatever names they use will create unhealthy politics because there is always an element of corruption there.

“For me, there is no such thing as a lawful political donation because all these private companies, they give something hoping there is a consideration (for them).

“I disagree with the Political Funding Act. It sounds very beautiful but it leads to corruption,” Hassan told Malaysiakini today.

Ahmad Zahid Hamidi

This was in light of Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s graft trial where a secret ledger of Ultra Kirana Sdn Bhd (UKSB) was revealed. The ledger contained code names and details of the company’s alleged kickback payments to several individuals between 2014 and 2015, which was submitted as court evidence.

This implicated several prominent politicians, such as Perikatan Nasional chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, Local Government and Housing Minister Reezal Merican Naina Merican, former foreign affairs minister Anifah Aman and Warisan president Shafie Apdal.

Govt responsible for fair allocations

Hassan said there is no need for politicians to have so much money as they are “selling their ideas” and not buying voters.

Besides, elected representatives and ministers receive various monthly allowances to cover their expenses, he added.

When it comes to taking care of their constituents, the PKR lawmaker said it should be the government’s responsibility to give fair allocations to the elected representatives regardless of whether they are from the government or the opposition.

“Every year there must be a proper allocation, enough for their constituencies, without the need to beg or send memorandum. This must be automatic.

“Who needs this allocation? It is the people of the constituency, this is the duty of the government to give to every constituency from the federal budget through the Parliament’s office and with accountability and auditing,” he added.

Hassan suggested that the government enact a law to make sure the government carries out this duty of allocating enough funds for the people through their elected representatives instead.

“(That way) even if an MP is poor, but they have ideas and integrity, the government will help these kinds of politicians to make sure their constituency get enough funds.”

He also pointed out that many corruption cases are linked to politicians and to ask politicians to create a law to limit how they can collect money from donors is “nonsense”. - Mkini