The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has no jurisdiction over political donations, its deputy chief commissioner (operations) Azam Baki said.

He was quoted by New Straits Times today in response to an allegation that Pakatan Harapan chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad had offered a RM1 billion bribe to DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang.

“Parliament has not passed any legislation that provides a guideline for political parties or politicians on political funding.

“The MACC Act 2009 does not cover offences related to money politics.

“Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Paul Low is heading the national consultative committee on political financing to look into a law on political funding,” the daily today quoted Azam as saying.

The bill to regulate political funding may be tabled in Parliament next year, he said.

Fugitive blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin (photo) on his Malaysia Today website claimed the bribe was for Mahathir to become the Harapan chairperson, for Lim to remain silent on the Bank Negara Malaysia forex scandal, and for Mahathir's son Mukhriz be given a safe parliamentary seat to contest in the next general election.

The allegation was repeated in a report by Umno-owned Malay daily Utusan Malaysia and website Malaysian Digest today.

Both Mahathir and Lim have dismissed the allegation. Lim even challenged MACC chief commissioner Dzulkifli Ahmad to resign over his "failure" to uncover the alleged bribe.

Responding to Lim, Azam said the graft commission will not investigate the matter.

“It is not an issue of whether we know about it or not. The issue came out on social media, but no one came forward to lodge a complaint.

“But, as far as we know, it is not an offence under our laws. So, that is why we did not open an investigation paper on that matter,” Azam added.