CHANGE POLL SYSTEM TO CURB MONEY POLITICS

PETALING JAYA: In a bid to curb money politics in Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has suggested that the election of party national leaders not be confined to the 2,500 delegates to the Umno assembly but be opened to the some 100,000 branch leaders who attend divisional meetings at their respective localities.

“I have a few suggestions on ways to curb this menace which has brought about a negative perception of Umno. One of it is allowing delegates to the divisional meetings to pick national leaders. Presently, the fate of national leaders is in the hands of the 2,500 delegates to the general assembly.

“But if we allow branch leaders who attend divisional meetings pick national leaders, it would be much harder to bribe over 100,000 branch delegates.

“Although this would require amendments to the Umno’s constitution, I feel this is one of the ways we can curb money politics in the party,” he told reporters after opening Pagoh Umno Youth’s management and administration workshop, here yesterday.

He said for example, the Pagoh division, which he heads, would have a total of 444 grassroots leaders voting to pick national leaders instead of only a handful under the present system.

“This way more Umno grassroots leaders would be involved in the election of national leaders. They would have a sense of belonging to the party.

“All divisions can have their meetings on the same day to vote national leaders and counting can be done at the divisional level and collated at the headquarters. Announcement of winners can be made the next day.

“This idea can be fine tuned. It is just an idea that I am throwing. If it can be improved, why not? It is for the betterment of the party as a whole. We need to improve public perception of Umno and with this, we can move forward,” said Muhyiddin, who is also International Trade and Industry Minister.

He also said although this idea could not be implemented at the forthcoming Umno election in March, next year, it could be used in the long term as a permanent effort to curb money politics in the party.

The Umno deputy president aspirant said his suggestions to improve the party election system would be contained in a paper to be submitted to Umno’s top leadership in the near future.

“I would also suggest that we do away with the quota system. The system requires lobbying and directly contributes to money politics,” he said, adding that the largest political party in the country might have to set-up an election committee in the future if these suggestions were implemented.

On another note, Muhyiddin said the Umno Disciplinary Board which investigates and takes action against those involved in money politics needs to beef up the number of investigation officers to ensure speedier action.

“I agree that action should be meted out fast but the number of officers in the investigation panel needs to be increased. Without the manpower, how are they going to investigate over 1,000 complaints in a short span of time?

“Furthermore investigations need time as they cannot be done hastily. They have to undertake a detailed investigation. To ensure a fair and just investigation, time is needed, but if we increase the number of investigating officers, then they can spend time on a case in detail and submit their report or recommendations,” the Minister added.

Asked about the statement by Umno secretary general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor that of the over 1,000 complaints about money politics in the party, 75 per cent were false allegations, he said the fact needs to be verified by Umno’s Disciplinary Board.

“I do not know about it but it is up to the board to decide. They have to investigate and then come to a conclusion,” he added.