Free National Movement (FNM) Senator Carl Bethel suggested the claim that a Bahamian official received over $300,000 in bribes from a French company casts the country in a negative light, and said if the government fails to properly investigate the matter, the Free National Movement would do so following the general election.
Bethel said there is "no question" that the matter ought to be a priority.
On December 22, the U.S. Department of Justice reported that French power company Alstom SA agreed to pay $772 million to resolve allegations that it bribed high-ranking foreign government officials for lucrative projects.
Federal prosecutors said Alstom falsified its records and paid tens of millions of dollars in bribes for help in obtaining more than $4 billion in projects in countries including Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and The Bahamas.
As part of the plea agreement, the company paid a fine of nearly $780 million and also detailed its corrupt practices.
Alstom said it paid bribes totaling $325,000 to a Bahamian official to swing Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) contracts to Alstom between 1999 and 2003.
"It is a matter of concern," said Bethel when asked to respond to the issue.
"In the world outside there is a perception that could be sowed about The Bahamas. But whether it had an international dimension or not, once the information came forward it is the duty of the attorney general to exercise her powers to [seek answers] and I'm sure she's doing so."
Bethel added: "There's no question that it should and must be fully investigated. I would be shocked if it were not properly and fully investigated. Others have called for it to be done and I would only indicate that I share their sentiment.
"...If they don't, the next FNM government will. That's the first order of business."
Bethel is a former attorney general and was named a Queen's Counsel this week.
Last week, Prime Minister Perry Christie acknowledged that the bribery matter is very serious and assured the government was looking into it.
He said he expects answers soon.
Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson has requested information from the United States regarding the allegations, including the identity of the alleged bribe taker.
Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham told The Nassau Guardian on Friday the matter should be turned over to the police.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian