Deputy Education Minister Dr Mahadzir Mohd Khir and three other Umno leaders were found guilty of practicing money politics during the party divisional and branch meetings in June.

The others found guilty by the party disciplinary committee were Umno Padang Besar division head Zahidi Abidin, Bandar Tun Razak division head Amir Salleh and Azmi Dollah from Umno Kota Bharu.

Zahidi is also a Perlis exco member.

The disciplinary committee suspended Amir's membership for three years while the rest were let off with a stern warning.

The committee, chaired by Tengku Ahmad Rithaudeen, has to date held several sessions to investigate complaints of money politics.

Observation committees

Umno formed five observation committees spread out according to zones in order to monitor members contesting for various posts at divisional and branch levels.

The five zones are North, which cover Perlis, Kedah dan Pulau Pinang; Central (Perak, Selangor dan Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur); South (Melaka, Negeri Sembilan dan Johor); East (Pahang, Kelantan dan Terengganu) and Sabah, which also covers the Federal Territory of Labuan.

The party also distributed a book entitled Soal Jawab Perlembagaan dan Garis Panduan Pemilihan Umno Tahun 2004 (Questions and answers about the constitution and election guidelines 2004) prior to the branch level meetings.

The disciplinary committee has received more than 70 complaints involving money politics and misconduct of members during these meetings.