Probe election funding for PKR, DAP as well, Anwar told

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has been urged to investigate the election expenditure of Pakatan Harapan (PH) components PKR and DAP, as well as Barisan Nasional (BN) amid reports that the anti-graft agency is probing Bersatu to determine the source of its election funding. 

Marzuki Mohamad, the former principal private secretary to Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin during his time as prime minister, said both DAP and PKR had spent big on election material including flags, posters, billboards, lorries and social media campaigns. 

"This does not include the rental for the jet and helicopter used by Anwar during the campaign period, or the other costs involving the party machinery," he said.

"According to my rough estimate, the total cost of PKR and DAP's election campaigns would amount to hundreds of millions of ringgit. Where did these funds come from?"

Marzuki had urged PKR and DAP to publish their account statements, including the trustee accounts held on behalf of the parties, if any.

Anwar later said that PKR would do so if asked by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). 

"The MACC can run a check on any party. Bersatu does not disclose its account, it was investigated," the PKR president said. 

"I have no problem as the PKR account is audited and submitted to the Registrar of Societies on schedule every year."

In a Facebook post, Marzuki asked if PKR and DAP had received any funding from business tycoons who have dealings with the state governments of Penang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan, which are administered by PH. 

"It would not be fair to investigate only Bersatu due to accusations of spending big," he added. 

"PKR and DAP also spent a lot."

He said BN too should be investigated over its election funds, adding that BN ministers had formed part of the Perikatan Nasional (BN) government while the prime minister after PN's administration had also come from BN. 

"I believe that the prime minister is a fair person who always holds fast to the principles of justice," he said. 

"So be fair in all acts."