DAP today filed a report with the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) urging it to investigate and act against Umno members suspended for involvement in money politics.

The report was lodged by secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, who was accompanied by a group of 10 DAP leaders, including the party's parliamentarians.

"This is a matter of public interest as some of the Umno leaders who have been suspended continue to hold public office whether as MPs (parliamentarians), state assembly-persons, exco members and parliamentary secretary," he said while making the report at the ACA office in Kuala Lumpur.

He said since internal action by Umno had already been taken against those involved in money politics during its recent general assembly, there is "actionable cause for investigation by the ACA to see if they have also violated the law".

To date, internal action has been taken against 49 Umno members with 37 stripped of their membership for a term (three years) while 12 have been let-off with warnings.

Among those suspended from Umno are parliamentarians Astaman Abdul Aziz ( photo ) and Samsu Abdul Rahman and state assembly-person Amid Nordin. Whereas Deputy Education Minister Mahadzir Mohd Khir received a warning for corrupt practises.

"Is there a higher moral, ethical or legal standard for Umno members where one may not be qualified to hold Umno posts due to involvement in money politics but fully qualified to hold government posts that deal with public trust and monies?" asked the DAP leader.

The report was accepted by ACA officer Superintendent Zulfikri Abdul Manaf, who declined to comment on the matter.

ACA must act

Lim said he decided to lodge the report in the interest of public concern after reading ACA director-general (DG) Zulkipli Mat Noor's statement in a local daily today.

The DG said that investigations into money politics in the ruling Barisan Nasional party - of which Umno is a member - could start as soon as the agency receives a report alleging vote-buying.

Lim repeated the DG's statements that "vote buying is tantamount to corruption punishable under section 16 of the ACA providing for a prison term of at least 14 days and a maximum sentence of 20 years and a fine...".

DAP urged the ACA to act where anti-corruption laws have been breached and to uphold the minimal standards of transparency and accountability required for those holding public office.

"Public office holders must have unquestionable integrity where they are not only clean but seen to be clean," said Lim.

Ministerial suspension

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang urged Parliament to support his 'privileges motion' to suspend parliamentarian Astaman (BN - Titiwangsa) in view of ACA's latest stand.

Kit Siang, who had sought but failed to refer Astaman to the Parliament's Committee of Privileges when the House reconvened on Nov 22, said that as recommended by Parliament's deputy speaker Lim Si Cheng, he has today filed a proper motion - with prior notice - for Astaman's ministerial suspension.

"I am (also) asking the Cabinet next Wednesday to take the decision to give priority to this privilege motion so that it could be debated in the current meeting of Parliament before it adjourns on Dec14," added the veteran politician.

The elder Lim said it is imperative that this happens as the matter "concerns the credibility, legitimacy and authority of Parliament and MPs" particularly at a time when Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has staked his personal authority and reputation on the success of his 'anti-corruption' campaign.

He also advised the ACA that it is inadequate just to claim to want to investigate allegations only after receiving reports, when the agency "should be swinging into action after two months of inaction and indecision".

Allegations of corrupt practises during the Umno general assembly had cropped up even during the party's annual meeting in September.

Internal matter

Meanwhile, Bernama quoted Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak as saying that not all complaints involving money politics in Umno will be referred to the ACA for investigation as they are internal party matters.

Najib, who is Umno deputy president, said Umno had the necessary mechanism in place to investigate such complaints and the ACA would not be involved until all the processes had been exhausted.

"Not every case goes to the ACA and it is the discretion of the party. I am not saying it is automatic," he added.

He said that if investigations revealed that an Umno member had breached any law, then the party would consider referring the matter to the ACA.