The Islamist party and its Gagasan Sejahtera ally, Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia (Ikatan), were the only parties to fully support political financing laws, according to PAS research director Mohd Zuhdi Marzuki.
He claimed DAP and PKR took a “sceptical” approach to the formulation of such laws, while Umno didn’t seem to go all out for it.
He said PAS and Ikatan have handed over a memorandum to the federal government, calling for political financing laws.
Last year, the National Consultative Committee on Political Financing made 32 recommendations related to the funding of political parties, including the barring of foreign donations and the formulation of new laws.
The committee was formed late last year following the uproar after Prime Minister Najib Razak revealed he had received a donation amounting to RM2.6 billion from a member of the Saudi royal family.
Although the opposition cried foul at the non-disclosure of the “donation” after several media had highlighted it, Barisan Nasional leaders rallied behind Najib, claiming that no wrongdoing had been committed as there was no law requiring the prime minister to disclose any donation, no matter how big.
Zuhdi said he was told by a few people tasked with drafting political funding laws that it appeared that only PAS fully supported such laws.
“We don’t get funds from outside the country or certain companies. Our funds come from our own pockets.”
This year’s PAS muktamar is the second party assembly held since the 2015 party elections which saw the defeat of several veteran leaders contesting for top posts.
These leaders later set up Amanah, who are now part of the opposition coalition of Pakatan Harapan together with PKR, DAP and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.