CORRUPTION AN OPEN SECRET IN UMNO

(Source: Malaysiakini)

Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad today shredded the Umno Youth movement to pieces for electing Khairy Jamaluddin as their head.

MCPX

Without mincing his words, the Umno president of 22 years accused the Youth wing of soiling the party's image by endorsing a politician who is 'known to be corrupt'.

On Wednesday, Khairy - the son-in-law of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi - defeated Mahathir's son Mukhriz and former Selangor menteri besar Mohd Khir Toyo for the coveted post.

Expressing sadness over his son's defeat, which observers viewed as a rejection of the Mahathir dynasty, the 83-year-old statesman however denied it was this which stopped him from attending the assembly.

The real reason for his absence, the former premier said, was because "Umno Youth openly and directly endorsed corruption".

Yes, vote buying existed in my time, says Dr M

By Leslie Lau

Consultant Editor

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 25 — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad continued his campaign today against money politics in Umno by questioning the determination of current party leaders in ridding themselves of the culture of vote-buying.
He admitted that vote-buying also existed in his time as party president, but it was never as openly practised as it is now.
"Incidents of bribery are now widespread and open until the public looks upon Umno politics with disgust. That did not happen before.
"It never came to a point where the party president is accused of money politics. It never happened to such an extent that the disciplinary board receives up to 900 complaints," he wrote in his chedet.com blog today.
Dr Mahathir has grown increasingly vocal over the issue of money politics, or vote-buying, in the current Umno election campaign.
He has openly accused party leaders of using money to secure nominations for top posts, and has threatened to name those he claims are guilty of bribing their way to high office.
The former prime minister has also warned Umno that it stands to lose heavily in the next general election if the practice of vote-buying continues.
He said today that the fact that money politics existed during his time cannot be used to excuse or legitimise the openly corrupt practises under the current party leadership.
"I admit that when I was Umno president and prime minister, there was already money politics," he said in acknowledging accusations that it was under his watch that vote-buying crept in to become part of the party's culture.