BERSATU’S election campaign in six states will not be affected by the party’s troubles, said its grassroots leaders.

They are confident the party will get the financial support it needs from its members and supporters.

Bersatu supreme council member Mohd Rafiq Mohd Abdullah said the election candidates will collect donations to fund their campaigns.

“Our candidates are also prepared to use their own money,” Rafiq told The Malaysian Insight yesterday on the sidelines of party’s annual general meeting.

Rafiq, who is also the Sungai Buloh division head, said the party will recycle its campaign materials for the state polls.

Kedah, Penang, Selangor, Kelantan, Terengganu, and Negri Sembilan are expected to dissolve their respective state assemblies after mid-June.

“We have asked the candidates who stood in the general general to claim their deposit money and return it to the party so that it can be used for the new candidates.

“Efforts are also being made to collect the party flags that were put up for elections in Malacca, Johor, and Pahang. We will use them for the election campaign in six states.

“There is no money but that is not a problem,” he added.

Rafiq said Bersatu also has the support of its partners in Perikatan Nasional.

Terengganu Bersatu deputy chairman Rosol Wahid said money isn’t everything.

“Elections require a lot of money but that doesn’t mean that we can’t do anything without it. We have started crowd funding and the response is encouraging. 

“Some also donate jewellery. That is a good start and something that PAS has practised for a long time,” he said.

“PAS has a method of collecting donations. The spirit of our supporters is intact. In fact, they are more enthusiastic than ever.”

The Hulu Terengganu MP was confident that with the help of its allies, Bersatu will sail through the state polls without any problem.

Former Seberang Jaya assemblyman Dr Afif Bahardin believed the party divisions still have the financial resources to help the candidates even though the party’s bank accounts are blocked.

He was also certain of voters’ support.

“Among the political parties, Bersatu is the most open about its political funding. In addition to public donations, we also call for an audit of Bersatu’s accounts.

“As long as it is done transparently, it will not cause problems for Bersatu,” he said.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia analyst Mazlan Ali was less sanguine about Bersatu’s prospects amid the prosecution of its president, Muhyiddin Yassin.

He said the investigation will disrupt the party machinery and cause PN to lose the momentum it gained in the general election.

“PN is facing many challenges, including the freezing of Bersatu’s account in connection with an MACC investigation,” said Mazlan.

“Party workers will still need to be paid. This is definitely a bitter challenge for Bersatu.

He added that PN will find it difficult to to repeat the success it enjoyed in the general election.

(The corruption case against Muhyiddin) will definitely affect and disrupt the ‘green wave’ of which they are so confident of achieving,” said Mazlan, referring to the heightened support for PAS in the November election.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has frozen several bank accounts belonging to Bersatu pending investigations into illegal gains 

Last week Muhyiddin was charged with power abuse and laundering money amounting to RM232.5 million in connection with a Bumiputera aid programme that was established when he was prime minister.

Muhyiddin is expected to be charged again today with additional counts. – March 13, 2023.