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KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 12, 2008) : Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today brushed off an accusation that he and his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak were politically corrupt in arranging the transition of power by middle of 2010.
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He said he informed the MT of the outcome of his discussions with Najib and they accepted it and felt that party members should be informed so that they can understand the issue.
"That was an important matter which the MT decided should be announced. It was related to transition of power; definitely all members must know. So, that was the reason. It was not me and Najib quietly conspiring about this. No!" he said.
He was asked to comment on the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) report lodged by veteran Selangor Umno leader Datuk Mazlan Harun last week against Abdullah and Najib for alleged abuse of power.
Mazlan had said the report was based on a letter written by Petaling Jaya Selatan Umno division head Kapt (R) Datuk Zahar Hashim which accused the two of "political corruption of the highest order."
In the letter addressed to the Umno secretary-general, Zahar said the two top leaders had been campaigning to defend their positions despite asking others not to do the same, adding their actions had violated guidelines issued by party headquarters.
Speaking to reporters after launching the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture & Agrotourism Show (MAHA) 2008 here, Abdullah said he did not know who were the Umno Sabah division head and secretary investigated by the ACA for alleged involvement in money politics as reported in a Malay daily today.
He said there could have been certain aspects which had involved the ACA, resulting in the Umno headquarters allowing the agency to come in and investigate.
"It depends on the particular case," he added.
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"I hope those involved in such activities will stop it. It is meaningless to seek popularity using money politics. It would not be genuine for someone to get support and victory by means of money politics.
"We want a person to be supported because of his capability, ability and good deeds, proven to have helped in the party’s struggle, helped the people and the likes. That is the yardstick we should use for someone to be entrusted to hold a certain position in the party," he said, adding the same should be applied to government posts.
Abdullah said money should not be a factor when choosing a leader, adding if that was the case, only the rich can be leaders.
Asked to comment on some views that it was meaningless for Umno to take disciplinary action against party members but later allow them to take part in contests, he said some probably think the penalty was light.
"These people think after serving their term, those penalised will start committing the same offence again. I hope those who had used it (money politics) and have faced action will not use money politics again in future," he added.
He said it was okay for someone who has been disciplined to be given a chance to contest in the elections.
"Punishment in cases related to money politics also has its limits. After they have served their punishment, they are free to contest for posts and move about as before," he added.
In another development, Abdullah said Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim does not have the power to determine the intake quota for Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) students.
"Matters pertaining to student intake are related to the institution concerned. They have the power to decide on their policy," he added.
Khalid had suggested for 10% of the current student quota at UiTM be opened to non-Bumiputras and foreign students to raise the quality of education and spirit of competition among students there.
This morning, some 5,000 UiTM students took part in a 2km protest march from Dataran Shah Alam, to hand over a seven-page memorandum to Khalid.
The document was accepted by Khalid's press officer Hazril Abu Hassan. The event was staged to protest Khalid's suggestion.
SOURCE: http://www.thesundaily.com
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