KUALA LUMPUR (April 18): PAS has never received any funds from Umno, the Islamist party’s secretary-general Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan said today, refuting talk that the Barisan Nasional lynchpin party was financing it for the 14th general election (GE14).

“Even if they offer us money, we will not take it,” said Takiyuddin at a press conference at the party’s headquarters.

He was commenting on questions circulating in the media about where PAS had obtained the money to contest in some 160 parliamentary seats in GE14, which would cost roughly RM34 million.

“We are not the government, and there is nothing we can give them [our funders] back in return [for financing us]. So I do not see any element of corruption,” said Takiyuddin.

“If anyone has proof that the PAS leadership has received funds with an element of corruption involved, please lodge a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission,” he said.

“If anyone donates to PAS and there is no element of corruption, it is not your business to question it,” he added.

“Even the court case in the UK has not been resolved. Now there are those who have approached us to settle out of court. What is the reason? We will proceed [with the court case].”  

He was referring to the lawsuit filed by PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang against Sarawak Report editor Claire Rewcastle Brown in London last year after the blog published an article alleging that PAS leaders had received RM90 million from Umno.

A local news portal reported on April 14 that Brown has filed an application to strike out the suit, on grounds that included intimidation of witnesses. The pre-hearing in UK is scheduled between April 30 and May 2.

Takiyuddin said PAS has always been dependent on fees paid by its members, as well as donations from the party’s sympathisers.

“Even the PAS headquarters was bought using PAS members’ money. We did not undertake any borrowing. PAS money sits in the pockets of its members,” he said, alluding to the party’s one million-strong membership.

“Lifetime members are required to pay a one-off fee of RM100, and normal members have to pay a monthly fee. It is a simple calculation,” he said.

Takiyuddin also said that PAS’ Parliamentary representatives have to contribute 20% of their allowance to the party, and it was also compulsory for other representatives to contribute.

“We impose an entry fee on members’ representatives who attend our muktamar (annual gathering). We allow for one representative for every 1,000 PAS members,” said Takiyuddin.