KUALA LUMPUR, April 26 — The new gold standard for political campaign funding techniques was set today by Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s (PPBM) Simpang Renggam parliamentary candidate.
Maszlee Malik, who only joined PPBM in March this year, has started offering gold and silver political memorabilia as tokens to those who help fund his campaign.
Shared on his official Facebook page this afternoon, the campaign features a poster entitled “Sales for the mission of Simpang Renggam, Dr Maszlee Malik Exclusive”.
When asked to explain why gold and silver were used as tokens, Maszlee told Malay Mail that both were precious materials and held their own significance and symbolism to everyone.
“Instead of giving them a T-shirt, which will eventually fade or be thrown away, this will last and always remind them of me.
“Gold and silver are also symbols of freedom and luck,” he said.
Maszlee added that gold and silver were legitimate forms of currency, which played into his aspirations to see Malaysians practise prudent financial planning.
He then claimed scores of people had already contacted his campaign workers and deposited the funds to redeem their gold and silver bars.
The posters feature three different variations of gold and silver memorabilia: The 1g 999-standard silver bar which is selling for RM300; a one Dirham 999-standard silver coin that is being offered for RM500; and a 0.5g 24-carat gold bar that is available for RM1,000.
Silver Dirham coins have been recognised as legal tender in Kelantan since 2010, despite being frowned upon by federal and legislative bodies.
The academic and political greenhorn is set to take on Barisan Nasional incumbent Liang Teck Ming for the parliamentary seat on May 9.
Maszlee’s poster was later shared by fellow academician-turned-politician, Wan Saiful Wan Jan, on his Twitter account.
Wan Saiful also recently joined PPBM, and is set to compete for the Pendang seat in Kedah.
