KUALA LUMPUR, March 18 (Bernama) -- Several Umno leaders said the party's Disciplinary Board's decision on Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam yesterday should be accepted and respected by party members.
Party Supreme Council member Datuk Khaled Nordin, for instance, said that while he sympathised with Mohd Ali who was barred from contesting the party deputy president post in the Umno elections next week over alleged involvement in money politics, the party's interest should take precedence.
The Higher Education Minister who will be vying for a party vice-president post, said the Disciplinary Board's decision should be seen as an effort to get rid of money politics in Umno.
Candidate for the Umno deputy permanent chairman post, Datuk Mohamad Aziz, said the setting up of the board was to maintain discipline in the party.
When met at the parliament lobby, the Sri Gading MP said party members should learn a lesson from the action taken against former party vice-president and Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Mohamad Isa Abdul Samad whose membership was suspended for six years for being involved in money politics.
"The best example of a party leader who abided by the board's decision was Tan Sri Isa. He calmly accepted the decision, did his work and campaigned for Umno in the last general election.
"His patience was a blessing as he was nominated to contest for a vice-president post. Umno members should therefore be calm and accept the board's decision (in the case of Mohd Ali) with an open heart," he said.
Umno executive committee member Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir said he also sympathised with Mohd Ali, but believed the latter would continue to struggle for Umno.
Gua Musang Umno division chief Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, meanwhile, said that all those found guilty of such a wrongdoing should be barred from contesting in the party elections.
He said he was worried that confusion could arise out of different decisions made on a wrongdoing, which would also affect the credibility and integrity of the Disciplinary Board.
"People will question why members at the lower level who are guilty of such a wrongdoing are suspended, while those who are indirectly involved but were behind money politics are let off with a warning or just not allowed to contest.
"If it is true that they are guilty (of money politics), then they all should not be allowed to contest. They should be given the appropriate punishment, not just a warning but their party membership suspended right away."
However, he added, Mohd Ali had the right to appeal against the decision if he was not guilty.
Penang Umno liaison secretary Datuk Azhar Ibrahim said the action should be taken earlier against those who committed the offence.
"We might not know the procedure of investigation but an early decision would save the candidate a lot of time, especially during the campaign period," he told Bernama when contacted today.
Asked to comment on the issue, Gerakan vice-president Huan Cheng Guan said although it was Umno's internal matter, it would be better if the decision was made earlier rather than a week before the party elections.
State DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow said Umno members should do some soul searching to bring transformation to the party.
"Umno, as a party, not only represent the Malays but also leads the federal government coalition, so it should take the issue of money politics seriously," he said.
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