KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 25 — Political parties holding their elections soon have been told to co-operate with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in cases involving money politics.
Putrajaya’s anti-graft minister Datuk Paul Low said today that punishment against those found to have engaged in bribery during their respective polls must go beyond the party as this would demonstrate their seriousness in rooting out corruption.
“Detected violations or abuses should not only be limited to action within the party,” Low said in a statement.
“Political parties should be open enough to also work with MACC to firmly address any reported cases of money politics, as the MACC Act allows for strong action to be taken against perpetrators – the full weight of the law can and should be brought down on them”.
The country’s mainstay Malay party Umno is among those gearing up for elections. Allegations that its leaders practice money politics during its internal polls is not new.
Some of its leaders, like former vice-presidents Tan Sri Isa Samad and Datuk Seri Ali Rustam, were found guilty of corruption before. They were both disqualified and served with a temporary ban but no action was taken against them.
This prompted allegations that Umno leaders have immunity from punishment despite evidence pointing to their alleged involvement in graft.
Low said combating corruption in the country will be severely impeded if the rampant practice of money politics especially relating to party elections continues unchecked and unaccounted for.
“Therefor, voters or participants in the various upcoming party elections must reject any form of enticement to influence their stand, and demonstrate integrity in reporting any corruption practices detected to the relevant authorities, including the MACC,” he said.
Bogged down by a corrupt image, Umno president Datuk Seri Naib Razak recently moved to amend the party’s constitution to allow direct voting in a bid mitigate money politics.
Observers noted that the delegation voting system practiced by Umno in the past had given power to the few voting delegates and encouraged bribery.
The new system has widened the voting power to 150,000 members but party insiders claimed stakeholders are still finding ways to influence the elections with money.
One division head said yesterday the money was already flowing and division heads who traditionally lead their respective campaign machinery have already received the greasing agent.
“Nothing new about this and delegates, besides looking at the candidates’ agenda or philosophy, can still be influenced with a little greasing,” he said.
Naib had himself warned leaders against abusing their power to buy votes but observers remain skeptical if Umno could rid itself of a much entrenched culture of money politics.
