Sungai Besar Umno chief Jamal Md Yunos said the RM1,000 each he will be giving out to all 646 Umno delegates from his division is from sponsors and savings, and the money was initially meant to fund a study trip to Dubai.

"Following my announcement on Wednesday (to give out the money), many have asked me where I got the money from.

"It is actually from the savings and contributions from members of the corporate sector and a number of other parties for us to do a study trip to Dubai earlier this year.

"But because of the (Sungai Besar) by-election (in June) following the passing of its MP Noriah Kasnon, we had to cancel it," Jamal told Malaysiakini when contacted.

On Wednesday, Jamal said even though he could not take the 115 Umno branch chiefs to Dubai as promised, there would be a consolation as all 646 divisional delegates would get RM1,000 each.

This prompted DAP's Ipoh Barat MP M Kulasegaran to question Jamal's source of funding and accuse him of engaging in money politics.

MACC urged to investigate

Kulasegaran called for Jamal to be investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) if he could not state the source of the funds.

Elaborating on the matter, Jamal said he decided to give the handout to every divisional delegate, instead of just the branch chiefs who were supposed to go to Dubai with him, to avoid disappointing them.

"During the by-election, I saw everyone was sincerely working (for BN's win), so how could I give the money to the branch chiefs only?

"The allocation was also quite big. So, at the meeting, I decided to distribute it equally among everyone.

"Everyone will benefit and none will feel dissatisfied.”

Jamal said the RM1,000 would be paid in two instalments, with the first RM500 being paid this year and another RM500 next year.

This would work out to a total sum of RM646,000.

Had the Dubai trip gone ahead, Jamal said the cost of flight and lodging would have been close to RM700,000.