30 Per Cent Of Money Politics Complaints In Umno Are Slanderous

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 23 (Bernama) -- In the face of loud criticism about political bribery in Umno and the firm actions taken by the party to eradicate the scourge, it is said that the practice continues to be prevalent each time the party goes through the process of electing its leaders at various levels.
In the fervour of party members to contest posts in Umno, allegations are heard that some members bribe to get nominations, some demand bribes to nominate while there are also allegations of vote buying and selling.
As outsiders observe and mock cynically at what is happening, there are party members who are quick to point a finger at the Umno disciplinary board which is alleged to be slow to punish the guilty.
Is this allegation true and fair to the board?
This question was posed by Bernama to the board, and board member Datuk Mohd Hafarizam Harun, who represented the board's chairman Tan Sri Tengku Ahmad Rithaudeen Tengku Ismail, explained that the board was there not only to punish but had responsibility to ensure that only those who are guilty are penalised.
"We are aware of the many mumblings that we are not doing our job, do not take firm action, do not investigate, but in fulfilling their demands, we have a huge responsibility of ensuring that justice is done even if it takes time," he said.
Mohd Hafarizam, who is an Umno legal advisor, said the board is of the opinion that it is better that a guilty person escapes punishment rather than punishing an innocent person. "From my observations, of the number of complaints we receive, 30 per cent have elements of slander, or a frame-up, in that the loser wants to do in the winner and the like," he said. As such, said Mohd Hafarizam, the board takes the time to investigate and act on each complaint received.
"The fastest is three months as we now have an investigation panel. This time we are more effective and comprehensive and therefore it takes time," he said.
Elaborating further, Mohd Hafarizam said each complaint received is scrutinised and if there is basis and proof the investigation panel is sent to get information.
"The panel will determine if there is prima facie or not. If there is, we have an internal investigation, if not we close the case," he said.
He said the accused will be issued a show-cause letter and given between seven and 10 days to prepare his defence.
"At this stage, we again call the complainant and if the information provided is consistent with the investigation panel's report, a tribunal will hear the defence of the accused. After that the tribunal's members discuss and make a decision," he said.
The decision is tabled at a discipline board meeting chaired by Tengku Ahmad Rithaudeen before any punishment is decided on, Mohd Hafarizam said.
He stressed that it is difficult to determine if political bribery really takes place as the Malays are a community that has customs and is cultured.
"Umno is a Malay party. We have customs, when someone comes to our house we offer food, at functions we give souvenirs and the like. This to the discipline board is not wrong.
"What is wrong is when it becomes widespread and the main purpose in giving is to influence persons to give or not to give votes. And this is when the offence takes place," he said.
On the higher number of complaints in party elections this time, he said 40 per cent of them were on the running of the recently concluded branch and divisional meetings.
Asked if the problem had worsened in Umno, Mohd Hafarizam said it could not be measured based only on number of complaints received.
"I would not say it is worse as statistics show many complaints did not fall under our jurisdiction and some are just bare allegations and go under NFA (no further action). These together amount to about 300," he said.
Till Nov 21, the board had received 837 complaints and of the amount 181 were investigated, 75 had yet to be, 57 needed additional documents, 119 went under NFA, 114 were out of jurisdiction, 251 were new and five were under keep-in-view (KIV). Of the 181 cases investigated, 31 were found ruled without prima facie, 31 were called to show cause, 18 found guilty and 13 not guilty while the rest had not been decided on.
Mohd Hafarizam said even as there is firm action by the board, political bribery in Umno was difficult to stamp out unless party members change their mindsets.

tunku : only 30% are slanderous? that means 70% have basis,that's a lot.anyway, we hope that the disciplinary board do their job professionally and like what hafarizam said that it is better that a guilty person escapes punishment rather than punishing an innocent person which will be not fair but at the same time do not put the guilty person's case under NFA (no further action) or KIV.