[Malaysia] UMNO may have passed critical milestone

The Star, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
28 June 2005

Umno may have passed critical milestone
ANALYSIS BY JOCELINE TAN

THE news headlines of the last few days have been dominated by the suspension of Umno figure Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad.

But it was news about another Umno vice-president, Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam, that was splashed on the front pages of most newspapers yesterday.

Looking quite distressed, Mohd Ali, who is also the Malacca Chief Minister, denied he would also have to face the Umno Disciplinary Board in connection with the party's elections last year.

He had been dogged by such speculation for a number of days and he was apparently quite fed-up, irritated even.

"Have I not said that I have not received any letter from the board?" he asked. But Mohd Ali and, for that matter, those who had contested the Umno elections, can put all these rumours behind them now that disciplinary board chairman Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen has made it clear that no other Umno leader will be called before the board.

It is possible that many of them slept peacefully for the first time in the days since the Isa case began last week.

Isa's appeal is still pending but few think he will be able to set it aside. At most, it is said, he will succeed in getting the suspension reduced from six years to three.

Whatever the outcome of the appeal, it is possible that Umno has passed a very critical milestone in its endeavour against money politics with such a drastic action against one of its top leaders.

Isa, who is also the Federal Territories Minister, had won the vice-presidency with the highest number of votes; the other two vice-presidents are Mohd Ali and Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

At 56, Isa, who is also the former Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar, is one of the most established figures in Umno having begun his career in Umno in his twenties.

"My friends were sceptical the party would dare act against a big name. They told me it was like people shooting the red light at traffic junctions and getting away with it," said Wangsa Maju Youth leader Datuk Norza Zakaria.

The impact of the decision also has to be seen from the public or the non-Umno point of view. As the leading party in the ruling coalition, Umno's words and deeds are closely watched by those inside and outside the party.

"The public is impressed that Umno is prepared to act against a minister. It shows that no one is too high when it comes to corruption," said Johor Baru MP Datuk Shahrir Samad.

Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hassan, who has often described money politics as a "cancer that can destroy Umno," said that it took courage to "cut off a diseased limb."

"Credit goes to the Umno president. If he wanted to be popular, he would have kept quiet. But he has sent out a very strong signal, that he does not care who you are, that if you are wrong, you have to pay for it," he said. It is also not only about nabbing the big names but the agents who campaigned and passed out money on their behalf.

And, as Shahrir pointed out, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi basically empowered the board by not interfering in its investigations and proceedings.

"He showed that fighting corruption is not just about him speaking out but that he needs help from those around him. That is his style," said Shahrir.

The shock waves arising from the suspension of the former vice-president are still rippling through the party, but are the ripples significant enough to make Umno leaders and members toe the line when it comes to elections and campaigning?

Will this be a lesson for them to practise more ethical campaign methods? Said a Kelantan politician: "Things will improve but the temptation to buy votes will still be there. There is a death penalty for drug-trafficking but it has not stopped people from pushing."

How will all this affect the mood at the Umno general assembly in July? Few members would disagree that money can undermine the party regardless of whether they have been the ones doing the giving or taking.

As such they are likely to praise the party leadership for being firm, bold and decisive on the issue of money politics. However, some may question the methods of the disciplinary board.

More resources have to be invested in the board to make it a truly competent body of investigation, prosecution and jury. But within Umno, there is consensus that the drive for more ethical conduct among Umno politicians is a long-term effort and action against money politics will have to be on-going.

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The Star, Kuala Lumpur
28 June 2005

PM: Isa should resign all party posts
BY ZULKIFLI ABD RAHMAN

PEKAN: Umno vice-president Tan Sri Mohamed Isa Abdul Samad, who was found guilty of money politics, should resign from all his party posts, said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

"I’m sad that Isa had been found guilty of indulging in money politics and that he was punished by the disciplinary board.

"As such, he should resign from all his party posts," the Umno president told a press conference after his visit to DRB-Hicom Defence Technologies Sdn Bhd (Deftech) main military vehicle manufacturing plant here yesterday.

He added that as far as he knew, the board took action against Isa after it considered all information that was made available to it.

The Umno Disciplinary Board yesterday announced officially Mohd Isa’s suspension from the party for six years. "However, he (Isa) can still file an appeal. I hope he will make his appeal immediately," Abdullah said.

Asked on Isa’s Cabinet post as Federal Territories Minister, the Prime Minister said: "The matter does not arise at the moment because he has to make the appeal first."

On whether the action against high-profile members had affected the party’s credibility, Abdullah said Umno’s credibility was still intact.

"Umno is taking action to contain money politics and the party is working to eradicate it," he added.

When asked whether there would be a Cabinet reshuffle if Isa’s appeal was rejected by the disciplinary board, Abdullah said the question was speculative.

Isa declined to comment on the disciplinary board’s decision. "I will talk another day," he said.

Asked on Abdullah’s statement that he should resign from all his party posts, Isa declined comment.