NOOR HAYATI MUDA, BERNAMA
KUALA LUMPUR, SUN:Umno's efforts to cleanse the party of money politics and political corruption will be tested once again when its almost 20,000 branches convene their respective annual meetings beginning Thursday, until Aug 24.The branch meeting is the first phase in the party election process, which will conclude with the election for the top post in December.Although the code of ethics for the Umno election has been updated to curtail corrupt practices, there are quarters in the party, as well as political observers outside Umno, who feel that more need to be done to address the problem.They view the new code of ethics as not only incapable of addressing political corruption in Umno, but also open to manipulation by its members.Their suggestion to Umno, if the party is serious in wanting to eliminate political corruption, is to embark on a comprehensive approach which will include restructuring of the organisation.Among the regulations in the new code of ethics, which some quarters regard as rigid, is the prohibition of candidates from attending such events as wedding feasts and "tahlil" and for children and wife/wives of members to offer gifts and money to other members in the party.The Umno branch annual meeting and election will be followed by divisional meeting, between Oct 9 and Nov 9, and then election of the supreme council members at the party's general assembly, from Dec 16 to 20.Batu Pahat Umno divisional leader Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi said it would be meaningless to have the new code of ethics if the regulations could not be enforced.He said this was because Umno had yet to have a special unit or body specially set up for enforcement purposes, adding that this was why the party leadership had to rely on complaints from members."To me, administering Umno is like administering a country, so it has to be done seriously, and in this case, (Umno) has to have a unit like the ACA (Anti-Corruption Agency), to monitor money politics in the party, not only when the party is facing an election, but at all times," he added.Dr Mohd Puad suggested that the Umno Disciplinary Board be strengthened and given extensive powers to also monitor the overall process of the party election, right from the grassroots level.He said Umno should also provide guidelines on the procedures for members to lodge complaints on alleged money politics in the party since the existing method was questionable and could result in reports being rejected."At present, the procedure is standard. If it involves money, (the complainant has to) photostate the money as proof...then, make a sworn declaration. That's all."Sometimes, people can say that the money is his (complainant's) own money, and that he wants to fix the other person, so the procedure must be clear," added Dr Mohd Puad.He also expressed the need for Umno to emphasise efforts to instil awareness among its members that corruption was a crime.Cheras Umno division chief Senator Datuk Syed Ali Alhabshee concurred with Dr Mohd Puad that political corruption in Umno could only be eliminated by changing the mindset of its members."Even if there are regulations, if members don't think it is wrong to indulge in money politics, it will not be effective. What is important is for the leadership to find ways to change the mentality and thinking of the members," he said.He said money politics would continue to reign in Umno for as long as party leaders and future leaders used politics for their own vested interests."During the days of our past leaders, there was no money politics. The reason is, they were sincere (in wanting) to help the Malays," added Syed Ali.Meanwhile, observers have differing views on ways to address political corruption.A lecturer at the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Prof Mohammad Agus Yusoff opined that Umno should have a clear definition to differentiate money politics and money for politics."Money is also needed in politics. Otherwise, how to organise activities, to campaign? What is wrong is money politics, which is money used to buy votes," he said.He said Umno should also abolish the quota system in the party election to eliminate money politics."The quota system requires members contesting for certain posts to obtain a certain number of nominations from the divisions. Does this not invite money politics?"The system should be abolished so that every member has an equal chance to contest. Money will no longer be an issue because everybody is eligible and it is up to the delegates to chose who they want as their leaders," added Mohammad Agus.His views were shared by a lecturer at Universiti Utara Malaysia, Public Management and Law Faculty, Prof Dr Ahmad Atory Hussein, who said the absence of a clear definition on money politics was the main reason that the practice was widespread in Umno."People can say, this person gives money to that person, but if the giver and the receiver don't admit, how can it be proven? Perhaps, the person gives the money to help the other person, who is in need of money to buy medicine for his sick child, etc. Is this considered money politics?," he asked.He concurred with Dr Mohd Puad and Syed Ali that it all depended on the mentality of the Umno members.For Prof Datuk Dr Zainal Kling, the root of political corruption in Umno exists due to the Malay proverb, 'orang berbudi kita berbahasa'."Let's say, a leader extends financial help to a member whose son is going for further studies. Of course, the member will be indebted and will want to repay the leader's kindness."It's like handing out gifts or money at weddings. Is this considered bribery? If (you) don't give, what will people say? This is where manipulation of the code of ethics can occur," he said.He suggested that Umno limit the amount of money which could be given as a "gift" and if it involved a large amount, the party branch or division concerned should be informed."(It's) like what the government is doing, where gifts which are worth thousands of ringgit should be handed over to the government," he added.By doing so, he said it would allow Umno to detect whether the gifts were sincerely given or that the giver expected something in return.
KUALA LUMPUR, SUN:Umno's efforts to cleanse the party of money politics and political corruption will be tested once again when its almost 20,000 branches convene their respective annual meetings beginning Thursday, until Aug 24.The branch meeting is the first phase in the party election process, which will conclude with the election for the top post in December.Although the code of ethics for the Umno election has been updated to curtail corrupt practices, there are quarters in the party, as well as political observers outside Umno, who feel that more need to be done to address the problem.They view the new code of ethics as not only incapable of addressing political corruption in Umno, but also open to manipulation by its members.Their suggestion to Umno, if the party is serious in wanting to eliminate political corruption, is to embark on a comprehensive approach which will include restructuring of the organisation.Among the regulations in the new code of ethics, which some quarters regard as rigid, is the prohibition of candidates from attending such events as wedding feasts and "tahlil" and for children and wife/wives of members to offer gifts and money to other members in the party.The Umno branch annual meeting and election will be followed by divisional meeting, between Oct 9 and Nov 9, and then election of the supreme council members at the party's general assembly, from Dec 16 to 20.Batu Pahat Umno divisional leader Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi said it would be meaningless to have the new code of ethics if the regulations could not be enforced.He said this was because Umno had yet to have a special unit or body specially set up for enforcement purposes, adding that this was why the party leadership had to rely on complaints from members."To me, administering Umno is like administering a country, so it has to be done seriously, and in this case, (Umno) has to have a unit like the ACA (Anti-Corruption Agency), to monitor money politics in the party, not only when the party is facing an election, but at all times," he added.Dr Mohd Puad suggested that the Umno Disciplinary Board be strengthened and given extensive powers to also monitor the overall process of the party election, right from the grassroots level.He said Umno should also provide guidelines on the procedures for members to lodge complaints on alleged money politics in the party since the existing method was questionable and could result in reports being rejected."At present, the procedure is standard. If it involves money, (the complainant has to) photostate the money as proof...then, make a sworn declaration. That's all."Sometimes, people can say that the money is his (complainant's) own money, and that he wants to fix the other person, so the procedure must be clear," added Dr Mohd Puad.He also expressed the need for Umno to emphasise efforts to instil awareness among its members that corruption was a crime.Cheras Umno division chief Senator Datuk Syed Ali Alhabshee concurred with Dr Mohd Puad that political corruption in Umno could only be eliminated by changing the mindset of its members."Even if there are regulations, if members don't think it is wrong to indulge in money politics, it will not be effective. What is important is for the leadership to find ways to change the mentality and thinking of the members," he said.He said money politics would continue to reign in Umno for as long as party leaders and future leaders used politics for their own vested interests."During the days of our past leaders, there was no money politics. The reason is, they were sincere (in wanting) to help the Malays," added Syed Ali.Meanwhile, observers have differing views on ways to address political corruption.A lecturer at the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Prof Mohammad Agus Yusoff opined that Umno should have a clear definition to differentiate money politics and money for politics."Money is also needed in politics. Otherwise, how to organise activities, to campaign? What is wrong is money politics, which is money used to buy votes," he said.He said Umno should also abolish the quota system in the party election to eliminate money politics."The quota system requires members contesting for certain posts to obtain a certain number of nominations from the divisions. Does this not invite money politics?"The system should be abolished so that every member has an equal chance to contest. Money will no longer be an issue because everybody is eligible and it is up to the delegates to chose who they want as their leaders," added Mohammad Agus.His views were shared by a lecturer at Universiti Utara Malaysia, Public Management and Law Faculty, Prof Dr Ahmad Atory Hussein, who said the absence of a clear definition on money politics was the main reason that the practice was widespread in Umno."People can say, this person gives money to that person, but if the giver and the receiver don't admit, how can it be proven? Perhaps, the person gives the money to help the other person, who is in need of money to buy medicine for his sick child, etc. Is this considered money politics?," he asked.He concurred with Dr Mohd Puad and Syed Ali that it all depended on the mentality of the Umno members.For Prof Datuk Dr Zainal Kling, the root of political corruption in Umno exists due to the Malay proverb, 'orang berbudi kita berbahasa'."Let's say, a leader extends financial help to a member whose son is going for further studies. Of course, the member will be indebted and will want to repay the leader's kindness."It's like handing out gifts or money at weddings. Is this considered bribery? If (you) don't give, what will people say? This is where manipulation of the code of ethics can occur," he said.He suggested that Umno limit the amount of money which could be given as a "gift" and if it involved a large amount, the party branch or division concerned should be informed."(It's) like what the government is doing, where gifts which are worth thousands of ringgit should be handed over to the government," he added.By doing so, he said it would allow Umno to detect whether the gifts were sincerely given or that the giver expected something in return.
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