YOUTH-BASED Muda collected more than RM1.1 million in funds for their usage in the state elections held in August, party chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said.

He said the collected amount was 75.2% of their target set for the state polls, which was RM1.5 million. 

“This amount was successfully collected in less than one month through various programmes and initiatives. 

“More than 95% of the funds were raised by the party while the remaining was by the candidates. 

“A total of RM858,252.02 or 76.1% of the funds collected were used for the state elections for all our 19 candidates,” he told a press conference today. 

Syed Saddiq said the party had spent an average of RM45,000 for each of the 19 seats, which was the lowest compared to other parties. 

“This is because Muda has always relied on the public for funds and we want to use it wisely rather than lavishly,” the Muar lawmaker said. 

The remaining funds collected will be used for future elections, he added. 

Muda contested 19 seats in four states – 14 in Selangor, Penang (3), Negri Sembilan and Terengganu (1 each). 

However all its candidates were defeated, with all losing their deposits.

Meanwhile, speaking on the party’s internal audit report Maribantu Flood mission, a fundraising campaign done for the major floods that took place in December 2021, Syed Saddiq said Muda managed to collect RM2.1 million from a total of 45,000 contributors. 

“Despite the challenges from the flood audit process, this remains a top priority for me as well as the party, to ensure transparency. 

“Muda has engaged the services of a reputable big 10 audit firm in the country. 

“The collection for the project began in mid-December 2021 and the audit process started in September 2022. 

“Why did we start in September? It is because the last of the Maribantu project only concluded at the end of August last year. 

“Hence, an audit can only be done when all the projects are completed,” the former youth and sports minister said, hoping that the explanation can dispel some of the questions raised. 

Among others, the successes of the flood mission are assistance to 10 states affected by floods, donations of 100 units of laptops, construction of a house in Hulu Langat under the Teduh Project, and financial assistance to 300 families.  

Syed Saddiq also said no funds from the flood mission were used for party or election purposes as alleged by some. 

Meanwhile, on the party’s elections, Syed Saddiq said he wishes to have the polls earlier but is bound by the party’s constitution. 

“Although I wish to have the party polls earlier, we still have to follow the constitution. 

“Even if we want to have it earlier, there are certain things to be done, like getting the approval of the party’s central executive committee, then probably have an emergency general meeting. There are steps to follow,” he said. 

In August this year, Muda secretary-general Amir Hariri Abd Hadi said the party will hold its polls by December next year. 

Amir said it was normal practice for political parties not to hold their inaugural elections immediately after the first year of their existence. – November 2, 2023.