Umno polls: Money politics worrying

KOTA BARU: Kelantan Umno Liaison Committee chairman Mustapa Mohamed is disappointment over reports claiming that money politics is still being used by some candidates to win votes in the upcoming party elections.

He said although the party election rules did not at all allow money politics, it appeared difficult to be eradicated.

“Money politics is worrying. According to the reports we received, although not in writing, even with the new election system, there is still money politics.

“It is true there is greater democracy now in the party, but the scourge of money politics appears to be still there,” he told reporters, here, yesterday.

Mustapa said money politics must be stemmed immediately as it could destroy the party if allowed to continue.

In this regard, Mustapa wants the party delegates to think wisely and choose only candidates who could steer the party to a brighter future and make it acceptable to all groups.

“I am not accusing anyone. May be there are people who are reluctant to lodge reports on cases of money politics, hence making it difficult to prevent the malpractice,” he said.

Wanita, Youth Puteri polls

Meanwhile Wanita Umno’s preparations to elect its office bearers for the 2013-2016 term is running smoothly.

The elections for Umno Wanita, Youth and Puteri wings are scheduled to be held simultaneously tomorrow, while the election for Umno Supreme Council will be held on Oct 19.

Incumbent Wanita chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said feedback from state Wanita Umno chiefs also confirmed that the election simulation had been carried out in all 191 divisions with cooperation from Umno headquarters.

“There exists a healthy competition among candidates for all posts in Wanita Umno and this proves that the movement is now in a commendable stage,” she told reporters after chairing the final special meeting of the movement at the Umno headquarters here yesterday.

Shahrizat, who looks positive to retain her seat which she has held for the past four years, also wished all Wanita Umno contesting candidates best of luck as the future of their political career would be decided by a total of 110,765 Wanita Umno delegates.

So far, 62 Wanita Umno candidates had won their respective divisional post uncontested.

In KLANG, Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said Umno delegates who would cast their votes at the party polls should choose the candidates who could help take the party to greater heights and who would always be there when needed by the delegates.

He said the delegates should also think about Umno’s future by choosing the right candidates at the election.

“I hope at this stage, all delegates have gone through the campaign process and able to judge for themselves the credibility of the contesting candidates,” he said.

The last time Umno held its party polls was in 2009.