The Kubang Pasu Umno division is prepared to expose the activities of Mukhriz Mahathir's supporters during the divisional delegates contest on Sept 9.

Division secretary Samsuddin Ahmad said the supporters held several functions for former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad in order to secure a victory for him in the contest.

However, Mahathir failed in his bid to be elected as one of the seven delegates to represent the division during November's Umno general assembly in Kuala Lumpur.

The former premier, who led the division for more than three decades, came out ninth among the 15 candidates while Mukhriz took the fifth spot.

"If people want proof, we'll expose it. This is not empty talk ... we have the proof. Who organised a function at the Kubang Pasu mosque?" Samsudin asked when contacted today.

Strong supporters

Meanwhile, the division secretary also stressed that the five Kubang Pasu Umno members who filed a complaint with the party's disciplinary board last week were strong supporters of Mukhriz.

According to him, the five were part of the Mukhriz campaign machinery.

"All of them are Mukhriz's men. We know this because they are members in the Kubang Pasu division," Samsuddin said.

He was responding to Mukhriz's claim that he was not behind the five's decision to file the complaint.

The five claimed that the Sept 9 contest was tainted with money politics, outside interference and

threats.

One of them, Kampung Darat Umno branch chief Ibrahim Ariffin said he was 'quarantined' for six days in the run-up to the polls.

Support increased

Meanwhile, Mukhriz also claimed that the tactics used by certain quarters to frustrate his father had backfired as Mahathir's support increased following the exposure of corrupt practices in the contest.

Responding to this, Samsudding said: "It is up to him to make this claim."

"But we know they (the five) are supporters of Mukhriz. This is based on the work they did during the election period," he added.

Mahathir had also attributed his defeat to money politics and the existence of a preferred candidates list.

His supporters also alleged that government machineries and civil servants were also involved in ensuring that the former party president, who is currently embroiled in a squabble with his successor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, does not win.

The current leadership has denied this.