PUTRAJAYA: A total of RM1.665 million was collected through the sale of tables for Pakatan Harapan's inaugural charity dinner at the Putrajaya International Convention Center (PICC) here tonight.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is also PH president and chairman of the organising committee, said the amount was collected through the sale of 156 tables.
She said the objective of the dinner was to raise funds in a transparent manner, adding that the money would be deposited directly into PH's bank account.
“We want to make sure PH stands by its commitment not to use government money for party and political activities.
“We want to put an end to old practices, especially on political funding.
“That was the reason why we have hosted the fundraising dinner, which was opened to the public.
"Because of the old practices, people expect something in return for the things they do,” said the Women, Family and Community Development minister.
Dr Wan Azizah said events such as this exemplified PH's commitment to transparency and efforts to stamp out abuse of power within the government.
The charity dinner was announced by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on Nov 3.
Dr Mahathir had said while political parties needed money, it was difficult to obtain funds as it may be deemed as an attempt to bribe or "grease one's wheels" to secure future projects.
The charity dinner, the prime minister had said, would be held so that everyone would be treated equally without any special treatment.
Present were PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Anwar Ibrahim, Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) president Mohamad Sabu, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin and PH secretary-general Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah.
Meanwhile, Mohamad said the funds would be used to fulfil the people’s needs and wishes.
The funds will also be used to "manoeuvre" the Pakatan Harapan coalition further, the defence minister said in his speech earlier.
Finance Minister and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said the money collected would be used prudently for the people and development of the country.
In the months after PH took over the government, the country’s international ratings had increased despite its fiscal deficit, he added.
Lim also said the government under Dr Mahathir's leadership would be free of corruption as envisioned in PH’s election manifesto. Additional reporting by Irwan Shafrizan Ismail and Zanariah Abd Mutalib