Umno Grassroots Want Code Of Ethics Reviewed

KUALA LUMPUR, June 24 (Bernama) -- Umno Youth grassroots leaders Tuesday urged the party to review the new code of ethics imposed on candidates vying for posts in the coming party elections.
They said the new code of ethics was "too restrictive" on the members.
Tenggara Umno Youth chief Suhaimi Khalid said the prohibition for candidates to attend wedding, tahlil prayers and thanksgiving, for fear that they might use the occasion to fish for votes, was way too much.
"We should not hold the views that candidates are bad," he said when contacted.
He was asked to comment on the new code of ethics as reported in local newspapers Tuesday, prohibiting members from appointing agents, lobbyists, campaign managers and vote canvassers or risk having their membership suspended or being expelled from the party.
Umno members were also prohibited from receiving or allowing family members, including their wife, to accept among others, any form of gifts including travel facility, shares, concessions, contracts or awards.
Felda Simpang Waha deputy branch chief Musa Ngaman said party leadership should review the rules.
"We at the grassroots are not for money. We just want to see our leaders going down to the field," he said.
Umno elections would start on July 17 at the branch level, followed by divisional elections on Oct 9. The central elections is in December.
Kangar Umno Youth chief Hamunir Hamzah also called for the code to be reviewed. "It's as though being a candidate is tantamount to being involved in immoral activities," he said.
Kuala Terengganu Umno youth vice-chief Badrul Hisham Zaki said even though the intention was good, the leadership should carry out a study whether money politics could really be prevented by the implementation of the code.
tunku : the more restriction the more money will flow.how can you stop a candidate attending wedding functions , tahlil and thanksgiving ? if they don't turn up, people will say that this person doesn't care for them, they will never vote for him.it is time for umno to change the campaign style. let the candidates campaign freely but with full supervision so that the won't abuse the freedom given to them.anything involve money and bribe should not be allowed at all. let the candidates have debates with each other so that members can judge and make a choice.