Sungai Besar Umno division chief Jamal Md Yunos today cancelled his plans to take the division’s branch chiefs to a holiday in Dubai, as promised.

Instead, he said, he will give them RM1,000 cash each.

“Five months ago I promised to bring all 115 branch chiefs to Dubai, but only 80 of then agreed.

“As such, I cancel the offer and we will instead share the funds meant for the trip at RM1,000 each,” he said, to thunderous applause.

In fact, he said, all 646 delegates in attendance will receive RM1,000 each.

The payment for the delegates will be paid in two installments of RM500, with the second installment to be paid next year, he said. 

He said this in a speech at the opening the 13th Sungai Besar Umno division meeting at Dewan Umno Bahagian Sungai Besar, Selangor.

He also said each delegate today will receive an additional RM300 for showing support to Umno, Jamal and party vice president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who officiated the meeting.

However, it is unclear if he only said this in jest.

"I want all delegates who support me to stand and applaud loudly," he said, followed by applause.

"Okay, RM100 for all of you," he the quipped.

He pledged another RM100 when delegates rose to their feet to show support for Zahid and another RM100 when they stood to show they support Umno.

Selangor Umno liaison chief Noh Omar in his speech said if he was division chief he would give each branch chief RM2,000, not just RM1,000.

"If I am Jamal I would give RM2,000 but I can't because I am a parliamentarian and I have to take care of 42,000 people (in my constituency). This is what differentiates a division chief and an MP," said the Tanjong Karang MP.

Zahid: Jamal is fair to all

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in his opening speech refuted claims that Jamal was against non-Malays.

Zahid’s opinion was based on Jamal’s “sincerity” in helping non-Malays during the Sungai Besar by-election held two months ago.

The deputy premier pointed out how Jamal was instrumental in the release of ethnic Chinese fishermen who were held by Indonesian authorities for fishing in Indonesian waters. Zahid said Jamal had urged him to do so.

“Jamal is not against non-Malays, he is fair to all non-Malays. I’ve seen it with my own eyes,” he said.

He thus urged all to emulate Jamal's caring attitude and ensure Umno retains the Sungai Besar parliamentary seat, which it won in the June 18 by-election.

"The post-mortem on the Sungai Besar by-election taught us that we must care about all constituents regardless of race. We must care about the people on the ground," he said.

He also reminded Jamal that while money is important, it is not everything.

"Yes, everything requires money but money is not everything. There are many people who are wealthier than Jamal but not as kind," he said.

Editor's note: Malaysiakini earlier reported the RM1,000 was only for branch chiefs. This is revised after clarifying with Jamal.