State polls: Saifuddin to pay for Kedah PKR candidates' deposits from his allowance

ALOR SETAR - Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) secretary general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail is prepared to sacrifice his allowance as minister to pay for the party candidate's deposit contesting in the Kedah state election.

Saifuddin, who is also the Home Minister, said he was willing to allocate a large portion of his allowance as minister for seven months to repay the party’s long-standing support in the state.

He said he saw Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim working hard despite rejecting the salary of a prime minister.

"I think of how I can repay the party, which I have supported since the first day. I’m thinking about how I can give more in these upcoming polls.

"I thought about taking a large portion of my allowance for seven months to pay for the deposit of all Kedah Keadilan candidates," he said.

He said such during his launching speech of the Kedah Keadilan Election Machinery on Saturday.

Also present were Kedah Keadilan Election Department director Datuk Phahrolrazi Mohd Zawawi and Sungai Petani MP Dr Mohammed Taufik Johari.

Saifuddin said he asked the Keadilan Election Machinery not to use party funds for the Kedah Keadilan candidate deposits.

He said he would pay the deposit for each candidate contesting, estimated to be RM5,000 for those who will contest in the polls.

"If it's RM5,000 (deposit payment), consider it done; I will take the form and pay for the deposit; they would only need to take the receipt," he said.

In another development, he reminded the state government to continuously maintain a good and harmonious relationship with the central government.