After fifty odd years, UMNO suddenly woke up one day from an episode of bad dream to find that she has to fix the problem of "election fixing" otherwise all the talk about transparency, integrity and good governance is just a gimmick.
Money politics has been an acute-on-chronic problem in Umno each time members go to the polls to choose their party leaders. The phenomenon of money politics in UMNO is translated into that of the national politics. This in turn causes a cascading effects into the activities of the government agencies and departments. It has been the practice in UMNO AGM in some division for its leaders to direct delegates to opt for block-voting . Copies of the list of names of the preferred candidates, like a "shadow cabinet", are usually distributed to delegates, who will in turn carry out block-voting or what the party grassroots call sistem rakit or main rakit.
Delegates are rewarded with cash, gifts and holiday trips to Langkawi, Bali or Europe.While the division chiefs are usually the king-makers, agents or lobbyists are in cahoots distributing copies of the list of names -- from the posts of party president, deputy president, and three vice-presidents to the 25 supreme council members -- several days before the elections, and even outside meeting halls before the AGM starts.
The corrupt practice had put Umno at the mercy of the delegates and there was no freedom of choice, even at the lowest level of the party.
Despite this glaring corrupt practice, many educated Malays still find UMNO to be an appealing political platform.
Umno fixing problem of 'election fixing'
By : Zubaidah Abu BakarASK any Umno member and he will not deny that those holding posts at various levels in the party have, more often than not, used their positions to ensure the victory of candidates of their choice in party polls.
It saves time -- that is usually the excuse for "directing" delegates to opt for block-voting so that they will not have to go through the tedious voting process.
Copies of the list of names of the preferred candidates, like a "shadow cabinet", are usually distributed to delegates, who will in turn carry out block-voting or what the party grassroots call sistem rakit or main rakit.
While the division chiefs are usually the king-makers, agents or lobbyists are in cahoots distributing copies of the list of names -- from the posts of party president, deputy president, and three vice-presidents to the 25 supreme council members -- several days before the elections, and even outside meeting halls before the AGM starts.
During the last Umno elections in 2004, the party found that there were leaders who used this voting system to ensure that candidates of calibre were sidelined in favour of their chosen candidates.
Delegates were also believed to have been rewarded with cash, gifts and holiday trips.
The corrupt practice had put Umno at the mercy of the delegates and there was no freedom of choice, even at the lowest level of the party.
Well, it will no longer be easy for leaders to fix elections from now on.
The Umno supreme council's decision last month to ban block-voting should put a stop to this old practice of "election fixing", which unfortunately breeds money politics.
Delegates will be more free to make their choices when Umno holds its branch elections from July 27 to Aug 23, division polls (from Oct 9 to Nov 9) and elections at the central level from Dec 16 to 20.
The council, at its last meeting on March 27, had endorsed amendments to the party's code of ethics for party elections, which included a clause preventing members empowered to conduct elections at the branch, division and supreme council delegates' meetings from using the block-voting system.
Since the regulation is effective six months before the election process, the ban, therefore, is effective immediately.
The ban will alleviate the emergence of camps or factions.
More importantly, it will help check money politics, an acute problem in Umno each time members go to the polls to choose their party leaders.
As warned by party vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, members can face disciplinary action, including expulsion, if found guilty by the party's disciplinary board.
Muhyiddin will begin a nationwide tour in Sabah to explain to party members the new provision and other amendments made to the Umno code of ethics for elections -- a move, many say, should discourage a practice which would have fractionalise Umno further.
While the regulation is lauded because it can help eliminate, if not reduce, money politics, a problem staring back at Umno is how effective enforcement can be.
This again boils down to the commitment of members.
If they help the party act against those who misuse their positions and indulge in money politics, the law will take its due course and offenders will be punished.
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