"IN KIND" GIFTS ARE NOT MONEY POLITICS IN UMNO

What constitutes "money politics"? Is it just involving cash or it also covers the giving of gifts,

sponsoring overseas trips, promise of certain favours and projects? You tell me. It

seems that in UMNO, the only aspect to be monitored during the divisional meetings which

will be held from tomorrow until Nov 9 2008 is the giving out "duit raya" during Hari raya open

house. Other than that they are permissible. Or should Anti Corruption Agency (ACA / BPR)

called in to help in the monitoring since UMNO has taken such a simplistic view of "money

politics". Related guidelines by ACA [here].

Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen Ismail

Disciplinary board warns members against money politics
sun2surf / Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 8, 2008) : The Umno Disciplinary Board will assign a team of monitors to check that the divisional meetings which will be held from tomorrow until Nov 9 are being conducted according to party ethics.

"The monitoring team will observe all the divisional meetings and they have been carefully selected and need not necessarily be Umno members," said Umno Disciplinary Board chairman Tengku Tan Sri Ahmad Rithauddeen Ismail at a press conference, here today.

He said the task of the monitoring team was to inform the Disciplinary Board if there were cases of malpractices by Umno members during the divisional meetings.

He also reminded candidates for party posts to comply with the Umno code of ethics and to refrain from money politics during the election expected to be held in March next year.

"The amendment (to the Code of Ethics on March 27) is important so that money politics can be checked in future. If there is enough evidence, we will not hesitate to take action, including against members who lodge false reports, regardless of their background," he said.

He said those contesting for party posts must follow the rules, "for example, those holding Hari Raya Gatherings must obtain prior approval from the State Umno Liaison Chairmen."

"We can guess what their intention is when they give 'duit raya' only to the delegates but not to the others (who are also at the gathering)," he said.

A total of 191 Umno divisions will hold their delegates meeting beginning tomorrow where they will elect officials at the divisional level and nominate candidates for key posts in the party, especially for the posts of president, deputy president and vice-presidents.

On the number of reports on malpractices and money politics received by the board this year, Tengku Ahmad Rithaudeen said he regretted that the number had increased to 521 complaints.