Bersatu saw donations, sponsorships rise by RM40 mil after Sheraton Move

JOHOR BARU – Bersatu saw donations and sponsorships increasing by RM40 million following the landmark Sheraton Move in early 2020, which led to the party taking over the reins of federal government from Pakatan Harapan (PH), according to the party’s own accounts.

The statement of accounts for the financial year ending December 31, 2021, was revealed in a judicial review application filed by Captain (Rtd) Datuk Suhaimi Yahya and former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin at the Kuala Lumpur High Court. It includes details of the party’s finances for 2020.

The application was made to challenge the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) decision to freeze the party's bank accounts.

The financial statement shows that Bersatu received RM108.164 million in donations and sponsorships in 2020. 

The donations and sponsorships increased by almost RM40 million to RM 147.66 million the following year. 

Similarly, Bersatu also saw increased membership in the wake of Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition, which it is part of assuming power in Putrajaya after several MPs from PH switched allegiances to PN. 

According to financial statements, in 2020, Bersatu collected RM41,159 for membership cards and fees. The following year, this number increased to RM183,510. 

Similarly, the collection of membership fees also increased, whereby Bersatu collected RM12,898 for 2020 and RM102,342 for 2021. 

In total, Bersatu’s income in 2020 was valued at RM108.218 million, and for 2021, it was RM147.994 million.

Unfreeze RM4 million

In their judicial review application, Muhyiddin and Suhaimi are requesting the court to order MACC to unfreeze a sum of RM4.353 million pertaining to expenses, operations and management of the party. 

According to court documents, a letter dated February 28 was issued by lawyers representing the party with a request to MACC for the mentioned sum. 

The letter asserted that the monies involved in the criminal charges concerned were valued at RM13 million but the amount frozen in two bank accounts totalled RM40.5 million. 

It also mentioned that the allegations made by MACC do not contain accusations that illegal funds flowed into the party’s accounts. 

“Thus, it is unreasonable for MACC to freeze an amount which exceeds what was specified in investigations,” the letter said. 

However, in a letter by MACC on March 1, the anti-graft authority had rejected the request, stating that investigations are taking place over the accounts. 

According to a supporting affidavit filed on March 8 and sworn by Suhaimi, the parties argue that MACC’s freezing of Bersatu’s accounts failed to follow procedures and was wrongful. 

Further, it was mentioned that the travel ban imposed against Muhyiddin was done in bad faith to tarnish the Bersatu president’s name, among other things. 

Suhaimi said that Bersatu’s financial position is not a secret, given the party’s account statements for 2020 and 2021 were presented at its annual general meeting and filed with the Registrar of Societies.

Both applicants named MACC chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki along with 19 other individuals as respondents in the judicial review application. – The Vibes, May 2, 2023