IT can cost an Umno division up to RM10,000 a month to keep operations going, said a grassroots leader, adding this is difficult to sustain at a time when the former ruling party is struggling to stay afloat financially since losing federal power last year.

The sum is what is needed for a normal month, and increases when general elections draw near as activities are ramped up to canvass voters.

Kuala Selangor Umno division chief Jahaya Ibrahim said the funds are generally used to cover administrative and maintenance costs, and do not include organising the division’s regular programmes and activities.

“Staff salaries are more than RM4,000. Water and electricity bills are RM5,000, because it also covers the use of a hall that we have. Then, there are land and assessment taxes.

“This doesn’t include costs for our programmes. We hold meet-ups once every two months, which are attended by about 100 people, and for this, we spend about RM700.”

He said he expects costs to increase before the next general election – which must be held in early 2023 at the latest – is called, as Umno divisions usually start preparing the groundwork and machinery for the polls early.

Jahaya said for now, he is footing most of his division’s expenses without the headquarters’ help, as the party’s accounts have been frozen as part of police and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission investigations into the 1Malaysian Development Bhd scandal.

Umno divisions and party-linked individuals are among 41 respondents named in a civil forfeiture suit filed recently by anti-graft authorities to reclaim some RM270 million in 1MDB funds disbursed from former prime minister Najib Razak’s bank account.

“Since becoming division chief last year (in party elections), I have never received allocation from anyone. Whether I like it or not, I have to help bear the costs,” said Jahaya, who is also a businessman.

Operational costs for other Umno divisions and state chapters vary, and many chiefs have had to resort to different ways to cut costs or raise funds.

Selangor Umno, which was named in the MACC suit, has moved out of its building in Shah Alam and put it up for rent.

Temerloh Umno, meanwhile, has sold its office in the Lanchang state seat to fund party expenses.

“We are now renting an office space as part of efforts to ensure we have enough to continue running our division,” said division chief Mohd Sharkar Shamsuddin, who is also Lanchang rep.

How Pakatan Harapan parties manage

But, Umno is not the only party facing money problems.

Kuala Selangor Bersatu has found that it also needs to be thrifty, even though it is a government party.

This is the “price” to pay for wanting to ensure corrupt-free practices, said division chief Mohd Najib Itam.

He said it is difficult to get assistance from the party headquarters to pay bills such as office rental, utilities and staff allowances.

The former teacher said he spends a portion of his pension to help keep the division’s operations running, with costs coming up to about RM5,000 a month.

“This is the sacrifice we make for toppling Barisan Nasional. Still, we hope to get some assistance. We don’t ask for much, at least something to cover office expenses,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Kuala Selangor PKR chief Juwairiya Zulkifli said expenses are aided by the allowance she receives as an assemblyman.

The Bukit Melawati rep said she is required by the party to deduct a portion of her assemblyman’s salary to contribute to operational expenses.

“As an assemblyman, I have to contribute 10% to 20% of my salary to party expenses. MPs and councillors, too, have to contribute a certain percentage.”

The PKR branch also receives donations from party supporters, she added. – July 7, 2019.