KUALA LUMPUR: Bersatu took its public spat with Pas to new heights yesterday when its reminded its Perikatan Nasional (PN) ally on who “footed the bill” for the latter’s 15th General Election (GE15) expenses.
Datuk Dr Marzuki Mohamad, who was the principal private secretary to Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, also reminded Pas that Bersatu was its major financial contributor.
“In GE15, Pas did not face a major problem regarding election expenses. When they contested using the PN logo, all election equipment using the PN logo was provided by PN. PN’s expenses were all borne by Bersatu.
“As a result, Pas won 43 parliamentary seats, the largest in Pas’s 70 years in Malaysian politics,” he said in a Facebook post today.
Marzuki’s blistering remarks came after Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, who is also Pas’s election director, appeared to have mocked other PN parties for depending on equipment that Pas had paid for.
Sanusi had claimed that Pas charged RM1,200 for each ballot box.
“We paid for all the equipment, they just came to the contest. After that, they want to be the leader, but they don’t have the money, and there’s no machinery. Let’s not bring it all up,” he said in his speech at the recently concluded 71st Pas Muktamar Assembly.
Marzuki, however, agreed with Sanusi‘s assessment that a large amount of money was needed for election funds, with RM1 million being the minimum amount for one parliamentary constituency, and that more funds may be required.
“This amount depends on the number of voters, the size of the parliamentary constituency, and various logistical needs. In Sabah and Sarawak, the amount is larger due to higher logistics costs.
“To print flags, there must be money. Candidate’s posters must be paid for. That does not include billboards, banners, caps, T-shirts, bamboo and wooden poles to hang up flags and others. All of this is not free.
“Election machinery must be trained. The cost of training election machinery is not cheap. After training, they are sent to work during the campaign and on polling day. Those who become polling agents and counting agents are given an allowance,” he said.
Marzuki added that the funds also cover vehicles to transport voters, such as vans, cars, and motorcycles, in addition to drivers’ allowances.
“This does not include the cost of election research, the cost of advertising in the mass media and social media, the cost of operating the election campaign room, and other retail costs.
“So this election is a big expense. No matter which party, these are the costs that have to be borne,” he said.
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