Members who did “not belong to the right camp” risked investigation, while those who moved in the right circles could breathe easy, knowing that they could “escape with impunity” …By Wong Choon Mei
Former de-facto law minister Zaid Ibrahim, sacked from Umno for attending Pakatan Rakyat functions, said today that corruption in his former party was so bad that even its disciplinary board had to bow to certain top leaders and investigate on a selective basis.
“What makes it so difficult for the tribunal to effectively carry out its functions is the selective prosecution it must practice in the discharge of its duties. Actions can only be taken if required or useful to certain top leaders,” Zaid said.
The well-respected lawyer said members who did “not belong to the right camp” risked investigation, while those who moved in the right circles could breathe easy, knowing that they could “escape with impunity”.
Zaid also said that fair and equal treatment was “wishful thinking, as there are rules in Umno that apply to some but not to others”.
Setting the cat among the pigeons
The Umno disciplinary board has come under the spotlight this week, announcing the suspension of several junior leaders and issuing warning letters to several others.
It also revealed it had received 976 complaints from 2007 to Jan 28 this year.
In particular, disciplinary chairman Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen has drawn fire for advising the dissolution of main wings - Youth, Wanita, Putera and Puteri - and consolidation into a flat, singular party.
The suggestion has since been rejected by both Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Najib Abdul Razak as being impractical and unworkable.
But according to Zaid, it only showed how frustrated Rithauddeen was with the deep-seated corruption in Umno and that he did not believe reform would be possible under the current structure and “under the present crop of leaders”.
“He is exasperated with the extent of the corruption permeating the party at all levels,” said Zaid.
No mandate given
Zaid also dropped another bombshell.
He said the Umno disciplinary board does not have any clear mandate from the party leadership to deal with money politics.
“When I was suspended for allegedly being involved in money politics, I knew that Tengku Rithauddeen, although chairman, was not involved in making the decision.
“Someone else in the management wanted me out,” said Zaid, referring to his suspension when he was Kota Baru chief.
Sumber : Suara Keadilan
Former de-facto law minister Zaid Ibrahim, sacked from Umno for attending Pakatan Rakyat functions, said today that corruption in his former party was so bad that even its disciplinary board had to bow to certain top leaders and investigate on a selective basis.
“What makes it so difficult for the tribunal to effectively carry out its functions is the selective prosecution it must practice in the discharge of its duties. Actions can only be taken if required or useful to certain top leaders,” Zaid said.
The well-respected lawyer said members who did “not belong to the right camp” risked investigation, while those who moved in the right circles could breathe easy, knowing that they could “escape with impunity”.
Zaid also said that fair and equal treatment was “wishful thinking, as there are rules in Umno that apply to some but not to others”.
Setting the cat among the pigeons
The Umno disciplinary board has come under the spotlight this week, announcing the suspension of several junior leaders and issuing warning letters to several others.
It also revealed it had received 976 complaints from 2007 to Jan 28 this year.
In particular, disciplinary chairman Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen has drawn fire for advising the dissolution of main wings - Youth, Wanita, Putera and Puteri - and consolidation into a flat, singular party.
The suggestion has since been rejected by both Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Najib Abdul Razak as being impractical and unworkable.
But according to Zaid, it only showed how frustrated Rithauddeen was with the deep-seated corruption in Umno and that he did not believe reform would be possible under the current structure and “under the present crop of leaders”.
“He is exasperated with the extent of the corruption permeating the party at all levels,” said Zaid.
No mandate given
Zaid also dropped another bombshell.
He said the Umno disciplinary board does not have any clear mandate from the party leadership to deal with money politics.
“When I was suspended for allegedly being involved in money politics, I knew that Tengku Rithauddeen, although chairman, was not involved in making the decision.
“Someone else in the management wanted me out,” said Zaid, referring to his suspension when he was Kota Baru chief.
Sumber : Suara Keadilan
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