KUALA LUMPUR: The Political Financing Bill should be brought back to the cabinet to obtain a new approval, said Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) said there was a need for engagement sessions to be continued to obtain feedback from parties and stakeholders following new political developments and political alliances in the post-15th General Election landscape.
"This is so the bill, which will eventually become law, will be inclusive and comprehensive.
"It is suggested that the Political Financing Bill be referred to the Parliamentary Select Committee so that all members of parliament can provide their views and suggestions and all important aspects about political funding can be taken into account," she said in reply to a question from Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Malaysian United Democratic Alliance -Muar).
Syed Saddiq had asked the Dewan Rakyat yesterday if the government planned on implementing the Political Financing Act to ensure that the country's democratic landscape was clean and transparent.
Syed Saddiq had also asked about the proactive steps being taken to guarantee the enforcement of the act to avoid any confusion between a donation and bribe.
When elaborating on the matter, Azalina said the government will consider existing practices and laws to resolve issues related to the Political Financing Bill.
She said these laws include the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission Act 2009 (Act 694), Election Offences Act 1954 (Act 5) , Societies Act 1966 (Act 335) and the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (Act 613).
In September last year, former Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar had said that the Political Financing Bill was slated to be tabled for its first and second reading at the Dewan Rakyat in November in the same year.
However, the bill was not tabled following the dissolution of Parliament on Oct 10, which paved the way for GE15.
