Top Malaysia politician banned from party election

The Associated Press

Published: March 17, 2009
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: Malaysia's ruling party on Tuesday banned one of its top leaders from party elections for alleged unethical behavior but let off the prime minister's son-in-law with a warning after finding him guilty of the same offense.

The disciplinary committee of the United Malays National Organization party, which investigated 29 politicians, ruled that Mohamad Ali Rustam violated party ethics in the run-up to the March 24-28 vote to elect office-bearers. He was reportedly investigated for vote-buying.
The committee also suspended 10 senior party officials including three of Mohamad Ali's aides, for up to three years for corruption and violation of election rules.
"The public perception is UMNO is arrogant and has unhealthy practices. We have to clean up UMNO," Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak said at a separate function elsewhere. "We have to change or be changed."

The committee also found Khairy Jamaluddin, the son-in-law of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, and three other officials guilty of breaching party ethics, but they were let off with a warning. Khairy will be able to run for party youth wing chief.
Mohammad Khir Toyo, who is also in the race for the youth chief post, was also investigated but found not guilty.

It is the first time in many years that UMNO has cracked down on corruption within the party, which suffered heavily in last year's general elections.
Mohamad Ali has strong grassroots support, however, and his ouster could weaken the party further.

Mohamad Ali, chief minister of southern Malacca state, was among three contestants for the UMNO deputy president's post. The winner also will become deputy prime minister in keeping with party tradition. Despite the ruling, Mohamad Ali will retain his chief ministership.
But the ruling clears the path for International Trade Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who was running neck-and-neck with him in the race. Rural Development Minister Muhammad Muhammad Taib is also contesting the post but considered a distant third.

Party members have accused candidates of paying huge sums and feting voters at lavish feasts in exchange for their endorsements. Securing top party posts is considered a stepping stone to plum appointments in the Cabinet and government organizations.
Jostling for key UMNO posts intensified after Abdullah recently announced plans to hand power to Najib, who will contest the post of party president unopposed. The incumbent usually becomes the prime minister.

With more than 3 million members, UMNO is Malaysia's dominant political force representing majority ethnic Malay Muslims. It spearheads a governing coalition that is struggling to regain public confidence after the demoralizing losses in March general elections.