Its chairman, Tengku Tan Sri Ahmad Rithauddeen Tengku Ismail said the board took a serious view of the public perception on the matter because there were allegations that the decision made was inaccurate or involved political conspiracy.
“I wish to clarify that all decisions made were based on evidence available on the cases being heard, statements obtained during investigation and the hearing, not based on wild allegations or hearsay,” he said in a statement here.
He said although the Disciplinary Board was not a court of law, elements of natural justice and punishment based on facts and testimonies had always been upheld by its members in arriving at a decision.
“As such, the question of favouritism or political conspiracy does not arise as alleged by certain quarters,” he said.
Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen said members of the Umno Disciplinary Board comprised retired politicians with no vested interest in party positions.
“They brook no inteference from higher political power. The Board has done and will do its job without fear or favour,” he said.
He also said the Board did not have the power like the police or the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and could not force witnesses to come forward to give evidence.
That was why certain cases sometimes could not be settled quickly and if a particular case was decided upon hastily without enough evidence, the Disciplinary Board would face criticisms from Umno members and the public.
“In fact, the people are always second guessing us. We are damned if we do, and damned if we don’t!” he added. — Bernama
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