KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 24 — Mohamad Sabu, president of Malaysia’s youngest political party, has admitted that Parti Amanah Negara is struggling financially.

Formed last year, Mohamad said the PAS splinter needs RM50,000 monthly for its operations expenditure, which also covers the salaries of its five staffers based at its Gombak headquarters, Malay daily Sinar Harian reported today.

“We admit that we are facing a lack of funds and that is why we organise dinners, donation drives and try other sources, including from Amanah parliamentary members to manage our operational costs, for now,” Mohamad, popularly known as Mat Sabu, was quoted saying in a public talk in Temerloh, Pahang yesterday.

According to Mohamad, Amanah has only five employees to manage the party’s national affairs. They comprise a secretary-general, two deputies and two other administrative personnel.

In the same report, Mohamad denied allegation it was the recipient of millions of ringgit from Pakatan Harapan ally, DAP.

But he also said the public has been warming to Amanah, based on its distribution of 130,000 membership forms. He added that one-third of that number has been accepted as members.

Amanah launched last August 31 and claimed to have 60,000 registered members as at November.