Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and other Cabinet members at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur October 5, 2018. — Picture by Miera Zulyana

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 5 — The Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition financial situation is depleting at a critical level and the party has to come up with means immediately to stay afloat, says Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The PH chairman said the party now has to devise a formula on how to collect funding while ensuring corruption does not take place in the process.

“We were not able to make a decision in our meet earlier but the party is in a critical situation in getting funds to run the party.

“We will study on this matter on how to come up with a solution without needing the helps of other bodies,” he said at a press conference after chairing the PH presidential council meeting here, today.

He also said the ruling party is looking into the practice by the German government, whereby political parties are given an allocation by the administration and would not require donations from the public.

However, he stressed it was merely an alternative that can be taken into consideration.

“But if you think it is unfair for the voters to pay for the parties, then we will not do such things. But it all depends.

“The alternative is for us to ask for donations, but something like that may open a way for corruption,” he said.

Dr Mahathir said the party is open to the views of others, adding it is crucial as political parties will cease to exist without funding.

“Political parties need the money as we have people all over the country campaigning for us, but not everyone is voluntary and some have to be paid.

“Even nasi lemak has to be paid for,” he quipped.

“So how do you finance them without creating an opportunity for people to corrupt?” asked Dr Mahathir, before adding that some politicians had even used their own money as the party lacks funds.