Five file complaints over division polls in which ex-PM suffered shock loss
By Carolyn Hong
The Straits Times
TWO Umno members yesterday claimed they had been offered bribes to not vote for Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in a party election earlier this month.
They and three others from the Kubang Pasu division in Kedah have lodged complaints with the Umno disciplinary board about the election that was held on Sept 9.
Mr Aminuddin Omar, a member of the division, told reporters they had sent their complaints to Umno executive secretary Husainay Hashim.
The election was held to choose seven delegates from the Kubang Pasu division to attend the Umno General Assembly in November.
Tun Dr Mahathir suffered a shock defeat, and finished in the ninth position.
Umno's top brass had been anxious to prevent him from attending the assembly as a delegate because it could have caused embarrassment to Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi.
While the former premier was not likely to have an opportunity to address the assembly, his mere presence could have discomfited his successor.
Tun Dr Mahathir blamed his defeat on unfair campaigning, and alleged that votes had been bought to ensure that he lost.
Mr Aminuddin, who spoke to reporters on behalf of the five, said he knew of voters who had been given RM200 (S$86) to refrain from voting for Tun Dr Mahathir.
'Two of them have lodged complaints today,' he said.
They are Mr Noh Mohd Darus and Mr Rodzi Razak. The others who have sent in complaints are Mr Ibrahim Ariffin, Mr Ismail Taib and Mr Aminuddin.
Their complaints alleged that government employees were pressured by their supervisors, who did not want them to vote for Tun Dr Mahathir.
They also mentioned that there was an undue amount of campaigning by the party's top leaders.
Mr Aminuddin did not want to give further details.
'We hope that our complaints will be investigated, and action taken. We are doing this for the survival of Umno,' he said.
The Straits Times understands that they have submitted sworn statements to the disciplinary board.
The formal complaints mean that the Umno leadership can no longer brush aside Tun Dr Mahathir's allegations.
They oblige the party's disciplinary board, which comprises mainly party veterans, to investigate.
The election to pick delegates to the assembly is usually an insignificant affair in Umno, but the Kubang Pasu election took on importance after Tun Dr Mahathir put his name on the list of candidates.
He was chief of the division for 26 years and also its Member of Parliament until his retirement in 2003.
Kubang Pasu division chief Johari Baharum has denied any impropriety.
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