Ali Rustam barred from contesting
Umno deputy president aspirant Mohd Ali Rustam has been barred from contesting in the upcoming party polls.
Umno deputy president aspirant Mohd Ali Rustam has been barred from contesting in the upcoming party polls.
The decision was revealed by the party's disciplinary committee chairperson Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen Tengku Ismail at a special press conference at the Umno headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.
Ahmad Rithauddeen said Mohd Ali was disqualified from running for the post after three of his aides were found guilty of vote-buying.
"It is presumption of guilt, as the principle is that he is liable for the wrongdoing of his agents," the disciplinary head told a press conference. [See chart below]
Mohd Ali's party membership however was not suspended.
The powerful committee also issued a stern warning to Khairy Jamaluddin, who is standing for Umno Youth chief.
It, however, cleared another candidate, former Selangor menteri besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo, of any wrongdoing.
In view of Mohd Ali being barred, the contest for the No 2 slot will see a straight fight between favourite International Trade and Industry Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and Rural Development Minister Muhammad Muhd Taib.
State Youth chief suspended
Over the past weeks, speculation has been rife that the Malacca chief minister's political ambitions would be dashed over his alleged involvement in money politics.
However, certain quarters claimed that Mohd Ali has been deliberately targeted since he was seen as being able to stage an upset.
During the press conference, Ahmad Rithauddeen announced the committee's investigations involving 29 party members.
According to him, 10 have been suspended for three years effective March 12 and four were issued with a warning.
Among those suspended is a state Umno Youth chief - Japlin Akim from Sabah.
Ali's political secretary suspended
According to Ahmad Rithauddeen, action was taken against Mohd Ali as under the Umno code of ethics, he was liable for the acts of his agents.
He said that Mohd Ali's political secretary Saadun Basirun and two other agents were found guilty of being involved in vote buying.
No other details were however revealed. Saadun and the other two Mohd Ali's agents were suspended from the party for three years.
As for Khairy, the Umno Youth chief contestant was also found liable for his agent's misbehaviour.
However, since the agent's offence was lesser in gravity than Saadun, Khairy was let off with just a warning. It was also learnt that there was no obvious link between Khairy and his so-called agent.
Khir meanwhile was also investigated for alleged money politics but he was cleared on any wrongdoing by the committee, added Ahmad Rithauddeen.
He revealed that Mohd Ali was interviewed regarding the matter during the course of the investigation.
The disciplinary committee chief mentioned that Mohd Ali can appeal but refused to divulge more information on the timeframe for such an appeal.
He also declined to answer whether a decision could be made before next week's general assembly should Mohd Ali made an appeal now.
Both cases involved different factors
When asked why Khairy and Mohd Ali have committed the same offence but the action taken was markly different, Rithauddeen said that both cases involved different factors.
He gave an example of two homicide cases - if one stabs a victim once in one case compared to another case where one stabs a victim 20 times, the sentence for both murderers would be different.
However, he refused to reveal who Khairy’s agent or agents were and the offences committed by them.
Rithauddeen also refused to answer questions posted to him regarding Tourism Minister Azalina Othman’s case as compared to the above cases.
“Azalina’s case involved criminal cases. If there is a crime, it is up to the police to investigate...”
Khairy: I respect the committee's decision
Fifteen people showed their support later in front of the entrance of the PWTC building, shouting slogans such as “Long live Datuk Ali!” and “Only Datuk Ali can bring reform to Umno!”
However, it only lasted for about five minutes under the watchful eyes of the police.
One of the supporters, Amram Ahmad (
pic
) said that it was unfair when two leaders who committed the same offence were not given equal punishment.
In an immediate reaction, Khairy said that he respected the decision of the committee although he claimed he was "innocent".
"The important thing is that I have been just warned and I am allowed to contest. I'll still going to contest," he told Malaysiakini when contacted.
He said that there was an agenda to stop him from contesting for the Umno Youth chief post.
"I know there is an agenda but I don't know by whom and why they are doing this. I am maintaining my innocence," he added.
He added that he had presented his case to the committee and fully respected the decision.
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