The Malaysian Insight

BERSATU candidates in the 14th general election (GE14) must meet two main conditions – being financially comfortable and possessing at least a bachelor’s degree, according to party president Muhyiddin Yassin.

Muhyiddin had stirred some controversy amongst party grassroots leaders when he announced the conditions at the party’s recent supreme council meeting in Perak on March 4.

“Muhyiddin said that in order to become a parliamentary candidate, an individual must prepare RM100,000 cash.

“For a state seat, they need to prepare RM50,000,” a Bersatu supreme council member told The Malaysian Insight on condition of anonymity.

Another source within the council said that candidates for parliamentary seats must possess higher education qualifications before they can be considered.

“At least a degree; passing the SPM alone is not enough,” he said.

“Many Supreme Council members were shocked, and even Dr Mahathir Mohamad was shocked when this was announced,” said the other source.

According to him, Muhyiddin’s announcement has sparked unhappiness amongst some party leaders.

“The reality is that the leaders on the ground, even if lacking higher education, are efficient in organising party machinery and taking care of other members.

“So these conditions have angered many people on the ground,” he said.

Bersatu’s head of information Kamaruddin Mohd Nor declined to comment on the conditions, only saying that the party prioritises the ability of a candidate to carry out his or her role as a lawmaker.

“Our point (is), a candidate must have the ability. Not just in terms of finances, but also in terms of commitment and ambition.

“That’s important. If they have the ability to help themselves (financially), it’s even better,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Recently, Bersatu welcomed two well-known intellectuals into the party’s fold.

Former chief executive officer of Institute of Democracy and Economic Affairs Wan Saiful Wan Jan and Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIAM) lecturer Maszlee Malik both announced recently that they have joined the Malay party.

Wan Saiful said he decided to join Bersatu to support the agenda for change, while Maszlee announced on Monday that he was attracted by the potential of Bersatu in drafting the future of this country and in building a new Malaysia.

“57% of Bersatu members are those below 35 years old. They are the ones who will become agents of change.

“Bersatu is a political party for the young and for the future as it will dictate the direction of the new Malaysia,” Maszlee said at a press conference Monday. – March 15, 2018.