The lack of debate on corruption during the recently concluded 57th Umno general assembly was due to the fact that many of the party's leaders are themselves corrupt, charged Parti Keadilan Rakyat deputy president Syed Husin Ali.

"How can the majority of delegates who are famous for involvement in corruption be willing to criticise the disgusting widespread practice of corruption amongst themselves?" asked Syed Husin in a statement today.

He was responding to Umno president and Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's statement expressing a disappointment over the lack of debates on corruption during the five-day assembly.

Abdullah himself did not dwell on the issue of corruption at length in both his opening and closing speeches at the assembly. The premier had led Barisan Nasional to a landslide victory on an anti-graft pledge two years ago.

"How can they (the delegates) raise (such issues)? If they were to criticise their president for not practicing what he preaches, surely they will have to face the consequences," said Syed Husin.

On the deliberate fanning of racial sentiments during the assembly, Syed Husin said this would bring disaster as it would stir reactions from other communal-based parties.

"The result is, not only does the blood of the Malays boil, so does the temperature of the non-Malays," he said.

General election near?

He warned that such practices would only raise racial tensions in the country which in turn would lead to a dangerous situation.

"Maybe that's what some of the Umno leaders want. Aren't they famous for using divide-and-rule methods when they face challenges from within and outside the party?

"This method was often employed (by them) whenever a general election was close," said Syed Husin.

On Abdullah's claim that he was always open to criticism, Syed Husin said the opposite was true as it was obvious that the premier always came down hard on comments against him.

"The way (former premier Dr) Mahathir (Mohamad) was attacked by Abdullah and Rafidah Aziz and how Mukhriz (Mahathir) was attacked en mass shows that Umno leaders are not open to criticisms," he said.

Mukhriz came under scrutiny from Umno leaders after he publicly commented on Abdullah's opening speech at the assembly which he had described as 'nothing new'.