~penarik beca (2)

Perhatikan reaksi Ketua Pengarah BPR dalam berita ini. Jangan! Tak baik kata kat dia celaka punya binatang!

Daily Express (5/9/08): Umno veteran Datuk Mazlan Harun Thursday lodged a second report to the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) against the Umno top leadership whom he claimed committed political graft in party elections.

He also handed over an album containing photographs, videos and documents in support of his complaint.

"What are in the album I cannot tell in details. I am only asking for the matter to be investigated quickly," he told reporters.

An Umno member from Muar, Datuk Kadar Ninam Shah, who accompanied Mazlan said if the ACA still did not take action that it was supposed to within a certain period, a follow-up action would be taken.

"If this second report is also not taken seriously, we will make another report or resort to other alternatives like the court," he said.

He alleged that the Umno Disciplinary Board had been informed of the matter but did not take any action including investigating claims such as branch heads from several states being specially invited and provided with hotel accommodation and given souvenirs like prayer mats, plaid sarongs and cash paid for using government funds.

On Aug 5, Mazlan also accompanied by Kadar, lodged a report to the ACA with regard to the allegation.

The report was based on an allegation by Petaling Jaya Selatan Umno division chief Capt¨ Datuk Zahar Hashim in a letter to the Umno secretary-general that the party's top leadership had committed political graft.

In JOHOR BAHARU, ACA Director-General Datuk Seri Ahmad Said Hamdan warned that the agency would take action on any parties lodging false reports or giving false information with regard to corruption involving public officers.

He said such a move not only wasted the agency's time in carrying out the investigation but was considered as defamation and vilify people who did not commit the crime.

"We will not hesitate to take action against them under the Penal Code," he said after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding for the formation of an anti-corruption joint committee between the Johor Baharu City Council and the ACA.

Ahmad was commenting on the decision of the Kajang Magistrate's Court on Monday to impose a RM2,000 fine on Lengkok Golf Umno branch youth head Mohd Rusihan Abu Aziz of Kelana Jaya who pleaded guilty to lodging a false report on political graft on July 30.

On the problem of corruption in Puspakom Sdn Bhd, he said no further arrests had been made in connection with graft involving car approvals.

Ahmad said the ACA was still monitoring the case and expected several arrests to be made in the future.

On the memorandum of understanding, he said it would enhance the delivery system and confidence of taxpayers in the services provided by the city council.

The committee with at least 15 members will be jointly chaired by Johor Baharu Mayor Datuk Naim Nasir and Johor ACA Director Simi Abdul Ghani.

It will review and close all gaps which create the opportunity for corruption to occur in the city council.

The Johor Baharu City Council is the first among 147 local authorities in the country with such a committee to create a delivery system that satisfies the people.- Bernama

The Sun (4/9/08): A former Selangor Umno veteran leader has lodged a second report with the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yesterday for allegedly practising money politics to win the support of Umno division heads nationwide.

Datuk Mazlan Harun lodged a similar report against the prime minister a month ago in reference to a letter containing the allegations sent to the Umno secretary-general by Petaling Jaya Umno head Kapt (R) Zahar Hashim.

In today's report, Mazlan, who was accompanied by Muar Umno chief Datuk Kadar Shah Tun Sulaiman, claimed he had physical evidence and witnesses to the allegations.

The men arrived at the Kuala Lumpur ACA headquarters at about 9.15am and stepped out about two hours after having a statement recorded by the state's deputy director Kassim Osman.

Mazlan declined to elaborate on what he had told the ACA as he had been told not to do so by the agency but Kadar Shah told reporters that they had decided to lodge the report as they were unhappy with the ACA's snail-paced progress in the probe into Zahar's report.

"It has been a month since the first report was lodged but to date nothing is moving nor has there been anyone summoned for questioning. But I do understand that they probably could not move due to instructions from their bosses," he said.

Kadar Shah claimed in relation to the first ACA report, he has photos to prove the allegations and there are several witnesses who are willing to come forward to substantiate what had taken place.

Zahar in his letter alleged that the PM had between May and June specially invited Umno division chiefs from several states to the city where he held closed door meetings with them to garner their support.

It was also alleged that Abdullah had provided free hotel accomodation, given out pocket money and gifts such as sarongs, all of which were funded by taxpayers money.

He claimed this had breached Umno's ethics and code of ethics.

Zahar had also stated in his letter that Abdullah's actions in naming Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak as his successor as a political bribe "of the highest order".

Kadar Shah said the ACA had assured him and Mazlan that they will investigate.

NST (4/9/08): Umno veteran Datuk Mazlan Harun today lodged a second report to the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) against the Umno top leadership whom he claimed committed political graft in party elections.

He also handed over an album containing photographs, videos and documents in support of his complaint.

“What are in the album I cannot tell in details. I am only asking for the matter to be investigated quickly,” he told reporters.

An Umno member from Muar, Datuk Kadar Ninam Shah, who accompanied Mazlan said if the ACA still did not take action that it was supposed to within a certain period, a follow-up action would be taken.

“If this second report is also not taken seriously, we will make another report or resort to other alternatives like the court,” he said. (Bernama)

The Star (12/8/08): The Anti-Corruption Agency has stepped in to act on allegations on money politics within Umno on a case by case basis, Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.

He said he was not informed about Sabah ACA investigating the case involving two Kota Kinabalu Umno branch leaders who were alleged to have offered bribes but there might have been certain aspects that led the agency to act on it.

“I was not informed who they are. Maybe there are certain aspects involving the ACA,” he said when asked to comment on Sabah ACA probing two Kota Kinabalu Umno branch leaders allegedly offering RM1,500 to each delegate in order to get nominations.

Abdullah said Umno headquarters had decided to allow the ACA to step in to investigate complaints on money politics within the party.

On Aug 2, Negri Sembilan ACA arrested a Seremban Umno division leader Mohd Nor Awang for allegedly offering RM500 to a branch chief to nominate him as division chief in the coming party polls.

Abdullah also brushed off claims that he and his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak were involved in abuse of power in the power transition plan.

He said the plan was decided by party supreme council and announced to members.

“It was not that Najib and I were quietly conspiring. It was an important decision by the supreme council and announced to members so that they would understand.

He was asked to respond to veteran Selangor Umno leader Datuk Mazlan Harun’s ACA report against him and Najib on alleged abuse of power.

The report was lodged based on a letter written by Petaling Jaya Selatan Umno division head Kapt (R) Datuk Zahar Hashim which accused Abdullah and Najib of “political corruption of the highest order”.

Asked to comment on party vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin saying that money politics was rampant in the party, Abdullah said: "I have also heard a lot of stories on this matter. There must be some truth to it. Otherwise, how can the stories be so widespread.

“I hope those involved will stop such acts. It’s meaningless to seek popularity through money politics. There is no meaning to it. It’s not genuine if one gains support and victory because he used money politics.”

He said one should be given support based on ability, capability and contributions that were proven to help party struggles and the people.

“That is what we want to be the measurement for one to be given the trust to hold certain positions in the party that provides hope for him to succeed in the party or the government.

“Money is not the measurement. If we use money politics, eventually we will lose out. If that is so, only the rich can hold positions. The poor who do not have the money cannot become leaders. It is not that they are not capable but because they don’t use money.”

He also expressed hope that those who had been punished for money politics not to repeat their offence.

On whether those who had received punishment should be given the opportunity to contest in the party polls, he said: "There are limits to punishment relating to money politics. After they have served their sentence they are free to contest and move around like before.”

MySinchew (10/8/2008): All eyes are on Anwar Ibrahim, his battle in court and outside.

As always. But in Umno the political storm is brewing with the momentum picking up fast, a run-up to the big party polls in December.

Even at Umno branch level it's simmering. There are already reports of brawls, fist fights, assaults involving Umno members before, during and after "mesyuarat cawangan" or branch meetings.

And there are accusations of money being used for political support. Nothing new really. After all, party leaders from branch to division to national levels have admitted that money politics do exist in the party.

Now some branch leaders are saying, "We will not report the matter to the Anti-Corruption Agency but will forward the problem to party secretariat for further action." The party "secretariat' being the one announced by Umno president recently to "monitor branch and divisional meetings to ensure compliance of ethics and combat money politics." Not really new.

Hence some Umno membes are getting the ACA into the picture. ACA director-general Ahmad Said Hamdan has confirmed that reports on money politics by some Umno members are being investigated.

"Ironically Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was also a member of Team B then."

Recently a Seremban Umno member was detained for allegedly trying to bribe a branch chief for support.

Mukhriz Mahathir, one of Umno young leaders eyeing for higher post has complained of "struggling" to get enough support. He could very well be talking about money politics or some form of "intimidation" preventing members from making decisions on their own. Nothing new also.

However, something worth looking at is the "trend' of branches. In short there are branches (and their numbers are quite substantial) that are defying "instructions from the top." Hence you still get Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, Muhyiddin Yassin and even Rais Yatim being nominated for party presidency.

True, branches' nominations don't count but the message is clear. Can Umno afford to turn a deaf ear on the voices of grassroots ? There's no denying some Umno branches are showing their displeasure with the leadership. We have heard of calls for Abdullah to step down as well as to hand over power to Najib Razak earlier than 2010 as planned. The same can be said in Wanita where supporters of Sharizat Jalil are said to be unhappy with Rafidah Aziz's succession plan.

But among the main grouse within UMNO is the quota system. Many want the nomination quota abolished, and are calling for a return to the old two-nomination way for every post.

So there we have it.. bickering, bribing, fighting and what have you.

Still paramount of it all (at least to me) is the ACA report lodged by former Selangor Umno strongman Mazlan Harun against Abdullah and Najib Razak for alleged abuse of power.

The report was based on a letter said to have been written by Petaling Jaya Selatan Umno division head Kapt (R) Datuk Zahar Hashim, which accused Abdullah and Najib of "political corruption of the highest order."

In the letter addressed to the Umno secretary-general, Zahar said the two top leaders had been campaigning to defend their positions despite asking others not to do the same. Zahar viewed the top two leaders' actions as a violation of the guidelines issued by party headquarters.

(The ACA has responded by saying statements will be recorded from Abdullah and Najib, but at the same time warned of actions against those who make false report).

It's interesting to note that Mazlan, son of former Selangor Umno overlord, the late Harun Idris, was a member of Team B led by Tengku Razaleigh which took on Mahathir's Team A in the big Umno fight of 1987. Ironically Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was also a member of Team B then.

Anyway, Umno are in for a stormy weather (if it hasn't already), which brings me to a remark made by supreme council member Syed Hamid Albar recently.

Syed Hamid who is also the Kota Tinggi division chairman was asked to comment on an incident at one of the branches in his division where a war of words erupted bweteen the pro- and anti-Syed Hamid factions. Chairs and tables were also over turned.

According to Syed Hamid, what happened was "asam garam dalam Umno." In short it, was all "part and parcel of Umno ."

Yes, he was talking about that one incident at the Kuala Sedili branch.

But there are many who would swear that the same words can be used to describe all the current bickering, quarrelling and fighting in the party. Said an Umno friend, "Biasa lah tahun pemilihan!"

That's Bahasa Malaysia for "normal during election year." (By MOHSIN ABDULLAH/ MySinchew)

Mohsin Abdullah is the Editor in Chief, News and Current Affairs ntv7 & 8TV.

The Sun (8/8/08): The announcement by Barisan Nasional chairman, Umno president and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi that he is ready to be questioned by the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) over allegations of abuse of power by him and his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Razak relating to the Umno elections is a welcome change.

For a man who has always advocated that no one is above the law, he is practising what he preaches and has declared: "If I am called for investigations, I will answer the charges."

Umno veteran Datuk Mazlan Harun on Tuesday lodged a report with the ACA alleging that the two leaders had abused their power in the lead-up to the party elections in December.

Abdullah’s example must be followed not only by politicians, but others in high places who tend to dismiss reports against them as "without basis" even without going through the due process.

More often than not, many senior officials tend to treat such reports with utter contempt on the premise that they are "powerful" and will not be subjected to questioning by the ACA or any other enforcement agency.

Now that the country’s most powerful man has spoken and is willing to face his accusers, others in a similar position must emulate him, failing which, the rakyat will have every reason to feel that he or she is hiding something.