Dr Mahathir Mohamad has alleged that Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) Youth wing members are being offered between RM10,000 and RM50,000 to quit the party.

"Those receiving RM50,000 are made to sign documents requiring them to vote for BN.

"Promises are also being made now for more money and goodies when the election is on," claimed the Bersatu chairperson in a blog posting.

Mahathir and former deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin founded Bersatu last year with the aim of challenging Umno with regard to Malay votes.

Mahathir did not provide details regarding the alleged payments, but his revelation followed the emergence of dissidents within the Youth wing's 24 exco members.

Mohamad Taufik Abas recently lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) alleging that a company belonging to Bersatu deputy president Mukhriz Mahathir was awarded an RM214 million government contract when Mahathir was prime minister.

Muhammad Hafiz Azhar had also questioned the wealth of Mahathir's children and raised questions on Muhyiddin's alleged affair with a married woman.

Mahathir wrote about the alleged payments to Bersatu Youth members in a blog post titled "How Najib hopes to win".

'Blocking donations'

The former premier alleged that voters will be bribed in cash and kind by the ruling party. This process, he claimed, was already ongoing under the guise of Ramadan month festivities.

"Breaking of fast events by opposition parties are blocked through warnings to donors... Mosques and precincts are closed to opposition parties but open to Umno.

"Would-be donors would be harassed and threatened with visits by the Inland Revenue Board. It is sad to note that income tax officials cooperate with the BN in these harassments.

"Of course they stand to gain from the bonus for collecting more taxes for the government," he said.

Mahathir claimed that money laundering laws were being applied on opposition supporters, some of whom had their bank accounts frozen.

He also claimed that banks have been told to turn down loan applications for business people who are potential donors to the opposition.