Bersih pushes for dedicated political party regulation law

Bersih has renewed calls for comprehensive legislation specifically designed to regulate political parties, positioning the move as a more effective alternative to the existing framework under the Societies Act.

The reform group argues that a dedicated law would strengthen transparency requirements around party financing and provide clearer mechanisms for resolving internal party disputes, addressing gaps they say persist under current registration practices.

Under the Societies Act, political parties are classified alongside other civic organisations, a classification Bersih contends is inadequate given the unique governance challenges and public interest considerations specific to political entities.

The proposal reflects broader concerns among governance advocates about the need for stronger accountability measures within Malaysia's political structures. A tailored regulatory framework, Bersih suggests, would establish standardised requirements for financial reporting, membership management, and internal grievance procedures across all registered parties.

The call adds to ongoing discussions about electoral and political reform in Malaysia, where questions about party financing and internal democracy have periodically surfaced in public debate.