In the lead-up to Malaysia’s 16th General Election (GE16), PAS election director Dato' Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has issued a series of urgent warnings and accusations - aimed at both his party's coalition partners and at broader electoral realities. His message: without shared responsibility, technological investment, and clarity on funding, PAS may find itself stretched too heavily financially.
He has also appealed to members to donate generously - donating RM20 is not enough - for the party’s cause while hinting that the coalition should shoulder its share of financial responsibilities. Weaving together recent remarks, three key themes emerge: intra-coalition tensions, funding claims, and the new economics of modern campaigning.
1. Frustrations within Perikatan Nasional
At the PAS Muktamar in Kedah, Sanusi pulled no punches with respect to PAS’ coalition partners in Perikatan Nasional (PN). He charged that several of them enter elections without the requisite machinery or funds, instead leaning heavily on PAS’ coffers and infrastructure. “They do not have the money, they do not have machinery. But they want to lead,” he said.
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What’s more, Sanusi questioned their leadership aspirations in PN given that imbalance. If partners cannot contribute equally - financially or logistically - how can they credibly seek to lead? The issue isn’t just equity, but political legitimacy: those who hope to steer the ship must show they can pull their own weight.
2. Disputing Claims About GE15 Funding
Amid mounting tension, Sanusi also moved to correct the record on the role of Bersatu in financing PAS’ electoral machinery during GE15.
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A former aide to Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Datuk Marzuki Mohamad, had claimed that Bersatu had significantly funded PAS’ campaign infrastructure, helping PAS win 43 parliamentary seats.
Sanusi rejects this, stating that PAS did not rely on outside funding to the extent suggested. According to him, PAS Kedah’s election funds came mostly from members’ donations. His insistence is not purely defensive - what’s at stake is political capital and autonomy. If PAS is perceived as dependent on Bersatu (or any other party), it could undermine the party’s negotiating position within PN.
3. The Rising Cost of Conventional Campaigning
Lastly, Sanusi sounded a warning about GE16’s financial stakes. He believes the cost of defending one parliamentary seat, if PAS continues using old-school methods without adopting technology, could reach RM1 million. Multiply that by multiple seats, and the numbers rapidly enter tens of millions of ringgit. To contest 60 seats in GE16, at least RM60 million would logically be required.
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Technology here isn’t merely about flashy apps or social media might. It encompasses voter-data tools, digital logistics, fine-tuned campaign messaging, volunteer coordination, potentially even automated or semi-automated systems. Without such tools, traditional campaigning becomes not merely cumbersome but prohibitively expensive.
Implications & Takeaways
Sanusi’s statements spotlight several critical challenges for PAS, PN, and Malaysian politics more broadly:
● Coalition cohesion vs. competition: There’s a tension between wanting PN partners to contribute more and the reality that many might lack the infrastructure or funding. If left unresolved, this could lead to resentment and fractures.
● Transparency around funding:
Disputes like the Bersatu-PAS claim show how narrative matters - not just who funds what, but how those stories are told.
● Modern politics demands modern methods:
Electioneering has evolved. The cost of falling behind in technology is not just lower messaging reach - it can also become a strategic liability, while conventional methods are proving even more expensive.
● Financial burden carried by PAS:
If PAS is to meet Sanusi's own criteria - leadership and competitiveness to win elections - then its financial obligations will rise, possibly exponentially.
Money, Machinery and Technology: Winning Elections in a Shifting Political Landscape
Sanusi’s warnings are not just about money: they are about fairness, recognition, and survival in a shifting political landscape. As PAS positions itself in GE16, it is demanding more than lip service from its allies.
It is insisting on shared burdens, clear boundaries, and investment in future-focused tools. Whether PN can respond in kind may well determine not only PAS’ performance but the coalition’s cohesion and credibility in the eyes of voters.
By: Kpost
Information Source:
LatestMalaysia , Malaysiakini , Fmt , Malaymail , Nst
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