Azalina: Politicians could face corruption charges without political financing law

Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, Pengerang MP, Umno information chief, and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform), suggested that politicians could easily face corruption charges without a political financing law in Malaysia. She made this statement in her personal capacity as an MP and lawyer, not as the Umno information chief.

Azalina, during her speech at a convention, expressed her personal opinion that politicians are often accused of corruption due to the lack of transparency in financial aid. She mentioned that if there is no Political Financing Act, many politicians will face corruption charges because the intentions of the aid are not clear and receipts are not provided.

Azalina acknowledged the necessity of financial aid for politics but emphasized the need for a clear framework to prevent conflicts of interest, abuse of power, political corruption, and undue influence. She also called for public and stakeholder involvement in drafting the new law. In a press conference, Azalina proposed that the Bureau of High-Energy Ultrasonics (BHEUU) should obtain written confirmation from every registered political party in Malaysia regarding their stance on having a political funding law.