KOTA KINABALU: Money politics has reached worrying levels, Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said, noting that he had received word of even grassroots members indulging in it.
“Some members have approached me as chairman of the constitutional and regulations committee to say that money politics is being practised by certain people,” he said.
“I referred them to the disciplinary committee so that action can be taken against the wrongdoers.”
He said Umno members should realise that money politics would adversely affect the party’s future.
Umno members, he said, should assess their leaders by their performance and not by how much money was lavished on them.
Umno disciplinary committee chairman Tan Sri Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen Tengku Ismail was reported as saying that money politics was becoming obvious in the ongoing party polls.
In Kuala Lumpur, Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said she would leave it to Umno’s disciplinary board to investigate allegations that she was practising money politics to unseat Pengerang division chief Datuk Harun Abdullah.
“I am not being investigated by the ACA, but I believe that the disciplinary board would have its own ways to ensure compliance with the ethics ruling,” she said after launching the National Press Club-Celcom Media Treasure Hunt.
“But during Umno elections, there are a lot of allegations and counter allegations. It’s usual.”
In Kuantan, Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob described money politics in the party as sad, worrying and sickening.
“Frankly speaking, I am sick of money politics,” he said after closing a seminar on integrity for work and safety committee members.
“That is why I did not offer myself for any post, be it vice president, Umno Youth chief or supreme council member.
“If members think I deserve to be in the supreme council, they will appoint me and if not, I will be on the outside. I will look after the state, and the party in the state before I go off.”
Adnan, who is also Mentri Besar, said the other thing worrying him was the people’s reaction to the whole issue.
“If the people get disgusted and detest Umno, they will say ‘the party is useless and out with Umno this time around’,” he noted.
Umno would have to think of a new way to choose its leaders after the party elections, he said. The party could opt for a mechanism that would allow all members to pick their choice, and it could be done online.
He urged the Anti Corruption Agency to monitor the situation and check the allegations.
“It is really bad, and one should not deny that this is happening. But if you ask me for proof, I cannot furnish it. Those who receive the money will never lodge a report,” he said.
“These people have the impression that by holding a party post, they could rub shoulders with the leaders and would be able to get projects and contracts easily,” Adnan said.
He hoped party president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak would look into the matter.
- The Star
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