A source who did not wish to be named said the proposal for such a “fee” was mooted by the party’s deputy president, Ahmad Faizal Azumu, at the Bersatu Supreme Council meeting last night.

According to the source, Faizal, better known as Peja, suggested that those who want to contest for the presidency and deputy presidency pay RM100,000, and those eyeing the vice-president’s post pay RM50,000.

Under the proposal, those gunning for a spot in the Supreme Council would be charged RM5,000, while members who want to contest for a division chief’s post would need to pay RM1,000.

The Bersatu polls in October will not see the top post being contested as the party has agreed to retain Muhyiddin Yassin as president. The proposed RM100,000 for the president’s post could be imposed at the following party elections.

The source said many of the Supreme Council members, including Muhyiddin, were taken aback by the proposal.

“The fee is not a deposit and won’t be returned to the candidates.

“Many were surprised by the proposal, with Muhyiddin saying he had not been briefed on it,” the source told FMT, adding that two leaders had outrightly opposed it, while others asked if the rates could be reduced.

The source said, according to Faizal, the fee could be used to fund party elections.

Those who were against the new “terms” opposed it on grounds that it would only benefit certain leaders and would create unfair elections.

“Those with money can fund certain factions at the division level, who in return would back the funder for a top spot in the party. If this is the case, then there goes the party,” the source said, hoping that the top leadership, including Muhyiddin, would veto the idea.

FMT is attempting to get a response from Faizal, who is likely to defend his deputy presidency against Bersatu secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin.