Muda raised RM1.12m for six state elections - Syed Saddiq

Muda raised RM1.12 million to contest 19 seats in the August six state elections, party president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has revealed.

Out of the amount raised through the "Muda Hustle" initiative, a total of RM858,252 was spent.

"Muda targeted to raise RM1.5 million to fund its contest in 19 seats in the six state elections.

"The party organised about 50 programmes, including selling otak-otak, futsal matches, and selling Muda merchandise, among others, to reach the goal," Syed Saddiq told a press conference today.

The majority of the aid (RM1.08 million) was raised by the party's central leadership, he said.

More than RM601,000 was in cash, while about RM478,000 was in campaign merchandise, such as party flags, banners, flag poles, and others.

On average, the money spent on each of the 19 seats amounted to RM45,000 - a “meagre” sum, Syed Saddiq noted, compared to the expenses by other parties.

Syed Saddiq said the complete breakdown of the expenses will be detailed in the party's financial report, which will be audited by two audit firms.

The remaining funds from the collection will be carried forward for future elections.

Flood aid funding

On another matter, Syed Saddiq also revealed that it received RM2.1 million from 45,000 donors for the party's flood aid mission, launched in December 2021.

According to the Muar MP, some 10,000 volunteers chipped in to help flood victims, across 10 states affected by the floods.

"Through this mission, we gave out 100 laptops, helped to build a house in Hulu Langat under the 'Projek Teduh' initiative, and gave 300 families monetary help.

"Muda was among the first party which mobilised volunteers on the ground following the devastating floods," Syed Saddiq said.

He then gave a timeline of the flood mission project, saying it began on Dec 19, 2021, with the construction of the house only concluding on Aug 31, 2022.

Syed Saddiq said he was called to provide details into this as critics have often accused the party of not revealing particulars of its flood crowdfunding mission.

"After the house was completed, and the key was given to its owner, we engaged a reputed audit firm, which is one of the 'big 10 audit firms, on Sept 5, 2022, to audit the accounts."

Despite the sheer size of volunteers who participated in the mission, just below five percent of the funds raised was spent on administration costs, he noted.

Syed Saddiq stressed that the flood aid funding was not used for the six state elections.

"All the documents are with the audit firm."

Party polls

Asked about party elections, he said Muda only got its "birth certificate" (officially registered) in January 2022, and not in 2020 as claimed by some.

"We had to fight in court to get the party's registration, and we are indebted to the judiciary (for Muda's existence).

"By convention, party elections are held three years after its conception, while some parties even take five to six years," he said, in explaining that Muda is not in a rush to hold party polls.

"We do want to facilitate elections (when it happens), and a timeline will be established."

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