Bersatu raised funds for assembly, VP says amid frozen funds

With Bersatu’s accounts still frozen by the MACC, the party had to raise money to hold its general assembly this year.

According to party vice-president Ronald Kiandee, they collected RM330,710.30 from party leaders, MPs, and assemblypersons.

However, as the amount was not enough, newly minted deputy president Hamzah Zainudin and secretary-general Azmin Ali donated a further RM35,000 each, Ronald told the assembly audience in his closing speech.

“So that means Bersatu members and leaders paid for the cost of the annual general assembly,” he said.

In February last year, MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki confirmed that two Bersatu accounts were frozen to facilitate investigations under the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act.

It was initially believed the freeze was related to an MACC probe on the alleged misappropriation of RM92.5 billion of government funds intended for pandemic stimulus.

However, an MACC source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, claimed the freezing was over allegations that Bersatu received contributions from some 10 contractors who were awarded various projects when the party was running the government.

During his closing speech, Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin thanked Hamzah and Azmin for their donations.

After the assembly, he told a press conference that the money was collected little by little.

“We spoke just now about how we had to collect from members and, in the end, we were able to pay for our own assembly ourselves.

“The cost was about RM400,000 to do (the assembly). That is not cheap,” he said. - Mkini