The Malaysian Insight

PERIKATAN Nasional’s (PN) preparations to face the upcoming six state elections have been disrupted following a series of attacks on its lynchpin party Bersatu, notably the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) freezing party accounts, PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said.

He added that PN has been forced to more than halve its budget for campaign.

Tuan Ibrahim also said the coalition would now focus on using online platforms for campaigning and to increase engagement with the voters as it seeks to minimise costs.

“We admit that when Bersatu’s account was frozen, we were indeed affected and it is difficult for us now to spend a lot,” Tuan Ibrahim told The Malaysian Insight.

“Although PAS is not a rich political party, we will try to help as much as we can when our friends are in trouble.

“Of course (the budget) will now be lower. We will only spend on a moderate scale and will increase the usage of social media.

“Maybe we will have to reduce basic expenses like posters, banners and other campaign materials,” the Kubang Kerian MP added.

Recently, the MACC froze several Bersatu bank accounts as part of a corruption probe focusing on the Jana Wibawa programme, which has lead to party president Muhyiddin Yassin facing multiple charges of abuse of power and money laundering.

Last week, Bersatu filed an application for a judicial review to challenge the MACC.

No rush to hold state elections

Meanwhile, Tuan Ibrahim also made it clear that he disagreed with Bersatu’s insistence to hold state elections sooner rather than later.

The PAS lawmaker said the decision must not be made in haste as several factors needed to be taken into consideration.

“We have to consider factors now, such as the clash with SPM exams at schools that are used as polling stations.

“Following which, we will have Ramadan, Hari Raya Aidilfitri and the haj will continue, so it is not suitable. We still have time and there is no need to rush.

“Although some may think that it is the best time to hold elections when there is an issue, I disagree,” he said in response to Bersatu deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu’s call for state elections to be held immediately.

Tuan Ibrahim said PN should take note of Umno-Barisan Nasional’s (BN) rush to hold a general election after convincing victories in Malacca and Johor.

“Former prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob wanted a general election this year to coincide with the end of the parliamentary term in June.

“However, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi insisted polls be held quickly,” he said, pointing out Umno’s subsequent humiliation at the ballot box.

Tuan Ibrahim said election decisions should not be influenced by emotion, adding that his preference would have been to hold elections in July or August.

“Sentiments usually change in six months. We have to see the direction, the principles that are brought and the policies because that’s what the people really want to see in politics,” he said, hinting that PN leaders disagreed on whether to hold all six state elections at once.

‘Extraordinary’ public support

Tuan Ibrahim also denied Umno’s accusation that it lost in November due PN’s lavish campaign, putting the funding down to extraordinary contributions from the public and supporters.

In fact, he admitted that this was the first time he had seen PN, and certainly PAS, receiving such large donations from the public.

“The public’s support for PN and PAS was so extraordinary – maybe because of the wave of people’s sympathy.

“In Kubang Kerian, usually we prepare a bus for voters but (this time) there were people who wanted to sponsor the bus.

“There were also people who prepared food too, so everyone contributed. When the person loves the party, he or she is willing to sacrifice for the party.

“I rarely pay in a restaurant, because someone has already paid for me,” he said, adding that this was the sign of a leader or political party’s good relationship with the community and serving the people and voters transparently. – March 15, 2023.