Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Paul Low has stressed that political donations should not go into personal bank accounts.
This is among the aspects that will be addressed as part of the political financing reforms, Low is quoted as saying in a report by Sinar Harian today.
His comment comes amid reports of RM2.6 billion deposited into Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's personal bank accounts.
"Political parties can obtain funds through various means, including from their members, by donations and through public and corporate contributions.
"We can allow corporations to donate to political parties, but this must be made public as the rakyat need to know.
"We must also ensure the funds are not channelled into personal bank accounts but into party accounts, because if these go into personal bank accounts, it will be difficult for the people involved to be held responsible," Sinar Harian quotes Low as saying.
'Politicians ready for political funding reforms'
Low, who was formerly Transparency International-Malaysia president, said he had previously pushed for such reforms, but it proved to be difficult.
Nonetheless, Low said he believes that politicians are ready for it now, in light of the recent developments.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is investigating the RM2.6 billion deposited into Najib's personal accounts.
However, the graft buster is facing an uphill task, after several of its investigators in the case were arrested by police and their homes and offices raided.
The case's lead investigator, MACC special operations division director Bahri Mohamad Zin, as well as MACC strategic communications director Rohaizad Yaakob, were also abruptly transferred to the Prime Minister's Department.
The move was criticised by both Low and Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
Following a public uproar that followed, Bahri and Rohaizad were subsequently reinstated to the MACC.
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