Penang Institute’s Wong Chin Huat says this includes initiating the use of public funds for political parties.
Penang Institute’s Wong Chin Huat said even though the country’s system of federalism was centralised, the state governments still had the power to bring about reforms.
“Putrajaya is the final destination, not the starting point. Reforms should begin in Shah Alam and George Town.
“With the resources in both states, the governments can do many things, including initiating public funding for political parties, as there is nothing in the Federal Constitution that prohibits states from spending the money.
“Selangor itself is a land that is rich and blessed with a lot of resources,” he said in a forum on political financing held at the Institut Darul Ehsan (IDE) here today.
Also present were PH chief secretary Saifuddin Abdullah and Serdang MP Ong Kian Ming.
Wong said that if PH kept repeating to the public that reforms could only be carried out when the opposition pact takes Putrajaya, the people would get sick of it and “probably even fall asleep”.
Earlier, Wong suggested that Malaysia emulate Germany’s political system in terms of public funding of political parties.
He said that every year, German taxpayers pay up to €133 million (RM660 million) to support political parties that win sufficient votes, which account for 0.04% of the country’s budget.
Using the analogy of a cat that is well-fed and does not need to eat fish, Wong said political parties would not have to source for funding if they received public funds.
Wong, however, noted that in the present system, not everyone would be able to afford paying, and those who were rich would be able to pay more and hence, exert more influence on the country’s politics.
He said this would then lead to government policies which were more favourable to the rich, and this would subsequently make it more difficult for new and smaller parties to contest.
Wong also stated that it would only be natural for those who were asked to fund political parties to expect something in return.
“There will be corruption, although this may not necessarily be through the swindling of funds. There will be conflict of interest.
“(The change in system) can help level the playing field, encourage competition for a more effective democracy, prevent corruption and conflict of interest,” he said.
In adjusting the German model to fit the Malaysian context, Wong suggested that federal funds of 0.04% be used for parliamentary elections, and 0.25% of state funds for state elections.
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