After exodus, Muda leaders deny claims of party misusing 2021 flood relief funds

KUALA LUMPUR – Leaders of the youth-based party Muda have vehemently denied misusing its 2021 flood relief programme funds, as alleged by its former members. 

The disgruntled former members had accused the party of misappropriation due to a purported delay in the disclosure of the programme’s audit report. 

Thanusha Ramanieswaran, a member of Muda’s central executive committee (CEC), had completely rubbished the accusations. 

“In my opinion, it’s a very malicious statement. We (Muda) have made the spending public,” she told Scoop. 

“There have also been meetings held to explain the status of the audit, which were attended by members, and no questions were raised. So, for them to maliciously say this is unacceptable.”

She said the relevant documents were submitted to the auditing firm at the end of 2022 and that it would take some time to review and prepare the report. 

Earlier, a member who stepped down from Muda told Scoop that he would lodge reports with the police, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), and Registrar of Societies (RoS) if the committee failed to meet a two-week deadline to make full disclosure of the audit. 

In response, Muda secretary-general Amir Hariri Abd Hadi said there was “no problem” with having the reports lodged, as the party was not beholden to the former members. 

“Regarding the two-week time, we (Muda) don’t work within the timeframe given by them (resigned members), and we have already explained this to our members,” Amir told Scoop when contacted. 

“We (CEC) are (always) open to our members. (And it’s) not just about the auditing issue, but any other matter.” 

“If they (the resigned members) think that they can push the (release of the) audit report earlier, we can always do so. We have nothing to hide,” he said. 

Amir added that the audit is being processed and that the party is hoping to publish it within the first half of this year. 

He also absolved himself of any responsibility over the handling of the funds, saying he was in the United Kingdom when floods struck parts of Selangor and other states at the end of 2021. 

However, other Muda leaders, such as acting president Amira Aisya Abd Aziz, were in charge of the crowdfunding for the flood relief programme.  

Amir said that at the end of last year, the party held a series of face-to-face meetings with the grassroots members to discuss the flood relief programme’s audit, among other matters. 

He also affirmed that the auditing issue was an internal matter for the party and that most members were being kept updated. 

Amir said that those accusing the CEC of not disclosing relevant information on the audit did not raise any questions during the meeting. 

“I personally texted the ‘person from Kapar’, asking him to meet me and discuss this matter, but he had already met Amira and raised no questions when she explained,” he said. 

“Whatever it is, it’s their choice to resign from their position and the party.” 

Asked about the series of resignations by Muda members, Amir said they have the right to join or leave the party, adding that this was quite a normal situation for any political party.  

The Muda leader admitted that the morale of the party members has been affected since the previous general election and state elections, coupled with the graft conviction faced by former president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman. 

Earlier, Muda’s central technology bureau head, Khairi Zulfadhli Abu Bakar, was suspended from the party following a CEC meeting on February 2.  

Amir said that an internal memo was sent to the party members regarding Khairi’s suspension, but the party did not want to explain the reason. 

“We (CEC) already sent an internal memo (about Khairi’s suspension). It was a mutual decision by the involved member and the party,” Amir said. 

“Muda prefers to deal with internal matters privately. We did not simply remove the member but we just kept it (the reason) within the party.” 

Speaking about the future of Muda, Amir said the party is still on the “right path,” with an internal election expected to be held by the second half of this year. 

“Muda is still on track, we are rebuilding the party and focusing on the rejuvenation programme that we are doing now,” he said. 

“We (Muda) went through a very tough period, and the party is still young in the political arena. When we founded this party, we had a set of principles. It is not just about winning elections. We want a change in politics.” 

Responding to rumours about Muda joining Perikatan Nasional (PN), Amir said there have not been any discussions on the matter and that the party does not align with PN’s ideology. 

However, he said that there might be a chance of cooperation if the political dynamic changes in the future. 

“There is no discussion with any political parties, including PN, as the coalition has a different set of principles that does not align with ours (Muda), but the political dynamic can always change.  

“As an example, if PN stops practising sectarian politics, then we are willing to discuss and work together with them,” he said.  

Despite the departures, the executive council of Muda’s Penang chapter asserted its solidarity with current acting president Amira. 

It also articles on the matter as a “minor” issue, explaining that the former members’ resignations were their personal decisions. 

“The media report which related individuals resigning from Muda’s organisation in several states is not a big issue and can happen in any political party. Penang Muda remains united with the party’s struggle. 

“Penang Muda will continue to champion the party’s policy under (Amira’s) leadership. Efforts to strengthen the party are currently underway. The (former members’) actions are their personal decisions,” the council said in a statement yesterday.

Simultaneously releasing statements, the Selangor, Kedah, and Federal Territories Muda chapters reaffirmed their steadfast support for Amira.

They clarified that the decisions of the individuals to depart from the party were independent and unrelated to Muda. – February 18, 2024