With less than an hour to go before the Umno disciplinary committee's special press conference, speculation is rife that several party bigwigs are expected to be suspended for their alleged involvement in money politics.

umno and corruption bribe money Right now the focus is on the fate of deputy president aspirant Mohd Ali Rustam whom the grapevines claim could be suspended for three years.

However, a source told Malaysiakini that several other top leaders, including a minister, could find themselves on the chopping block as well.

Certain quarters see this as move to purge the party of leaders regarded as being close to outgoing Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Some 50 police personnel have been deployed at the Umno headquarters at the Putra World Trade Centre.

The tight security comes amid rumours that a group of disgruntled Umno members might gather outside the building to express their dissatisfaction over the manner in which the disciplinary committee has conducted its investigation.

[More to follow]