The Umno disciplinary committee headed by Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen saw it fit not to further investigate the case of alleged malpractices by Puteri Umno chief, Azalina Othman Said.

A Puteri Umno member reported to police that four vehicles belonging to the organisation has been registered under the name of Azalina's brother and a friend. She also alleged misuse of Puteri's funds. The same report were made to the committee.

After more than a month, the disciplinary committee ruled that the `alleged malpractice' was not within its power to investigate. Alas, first the committee took more than a month to decide if it wanted to investigate, then it concluded that this was not within its jurisdiction to investigate because it is already a police case.

This is so typical of the present Umno leadership — dragging its feet to first decide if the case warrants investigation and then stalling further as it is dragged to the 'police' or even abandoned on the flimsiest excuse as in this case.

But then the irony is that the complainant was hauled up by the committee and `found guilty' of breaching Umno ethics. The one who reported about malpractice was the one found guilty and the 'suspect' was given the 'NFA' file.

Azalina was freed of any charge and investigation. One will remember the same episode in Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor's case when he reported the infamous Rafidah Aziz and Rahim Tamby Chik alleged corruption case. Ezam is now in jail under the Official Secrets Act.

Umno has allowed the Puteri election to proceed, whether there is a case pending or not. This is Umno's style of `upholding law and order'. Azalina still runs around freely getting nomination after nomination. Any complaint against her would be treated within the 'court of law' in Umno and it has its own reading and own definition.

It is no longer just a Puteri Umno issue now. Umno itself is in the dock in the eyes of the public. When will Umno learn to really respect true `law and order'?