PUTRAJAYA • Eyebrows were raised at the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) annual general assembly yesterday, when backpacks costing about RM300 (S$99) each were handed out to select central delegates.

A logo of the party had been emblazoned on the Herschel backpacks which came in a variety of colours.

Registration secretariat officer Hasnul Hadi Ahmad said that 1,382 bags will be distributed to all delegates who registered yesterday. "This is for the delegates who register today (Saturday). For those who registered yesterday for the Youth and Women Wings, they received a folder," he said.

Some of the delegates who had registered on Friday asked why they did not get such backpacks.

Two Negeri Sembilan delegates said they were very happy to receive such "quality backpacks" from their party.

"I like it; I will definitely cherish it as it has the logo of the party," said one delegate, who preferred not to be named.

"What bag? Backpack? Let me look at the picture. Oh, it's nice," said Bersatu Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, when asked if he knew about the backpack.

Bersatu Women chief Rina Mohd Harun commented only that she did not get the backpack.

All delegates received a simple cloth bag upon registration but some of the central delegates were seen sporting the backpack instead.

News site Malaysiakini reported that the bags were limited to eight delegates per division, comprising office-bearers at the divisional level, from chiefs to committee members.

THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK