YOURSAY 'If for whatever reason Umno cannot form the government after GE13, I have full confidence in Saifuddin as a good and responsible opposition.'

Saifuddin first to take 'election integrity' pledge

your say ONG: Let's say Umno Temerloh MP Saifuddin Abdullah signs a pledge to reject bribe-taking and money politics during his electoral campaign.

But what happens if others in Umno indulge in bribe-taking and money politics on his behalf during his electoral campaign, even though without his consent and approval?

Let's say he signs a pledge to reject bribe-taking and money politics after he is voted into office and he actually upholds that pledge.

But will the honest Umno reformer report his crooked Umno colleagues to either MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) or the police?

In fact, so far has he reported any of his crooked Umno colleagues to either MACC or the police?

I ask these questions because true reformers will not only be honest themselves, but will also dob in their crooked colleagues. The same questions also apply to other candidates from both BN and Pakatan Rakyat.

Shalilat: This goes to show that there are still good members in Umno. We have seen that Saifuddin, as a deputy minister, has handled problems in his higher education portfolio with maturity, tactfulness and responsibility.

If for whatever reason Umno cannot form the government after the 13th GE, I have full confidence in Saifuddin as a good and responsible opposition.

FellowMalaysian: Syabas to Saifuddin. His courage to stand up and be condemned by his Umno peers is worthy of praise.

Artchan: He will be kicked out or asked to explain his actions. Umno secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor will ask why action should not be taken against Saifuddin for bringing Umno into disrepute.

Abil: Saiffudin should declare his assets and liability to Transparency International Malaysia, or online so that it will be more transparent.

Just signing the pledge is meaningless unless the public can see the assets and liability of the candidates.

Anonymous_1332467772: People who took the pledge must keep their word. Election candidates should not use government logistic, its media and financial facilities.

They must remember that once Parliament is dissolved, they are no more ministers and therefore they cannot authorised any new government project, budget allocation and should not use government car and fly at government expense when campaigning, etc.

Kgen: What's the use of signing an election integrity pledge if you are standing for a corrupt party? It's like Paris Hilton signing a pledge to uphold virginity.

Anonymous: Saifuddin was once an outsider in Umno. He was brought in by Pak Lah (Abdullah Ahmad Badawi). It's good that he is signing this pledge, and we should give him credit and encourage him.

He may not be well-liked in Umno because of this, but we need people like him in Umno and I believe the people in Temerloh will be happy.

So let's not whack this man just because he is in Umno. There are good people there and we need them to rise to the top of the party leadership.

Goliath: If all political parties sincerely want to have a clean government, which makes up the elected representatives of the ruling parties, then all the party leaders should take the initiative to make the signing of this ‘Election Integrity' pledge mandatory to all their nominated candidates to ensure Malaysia have a clean government.

If any of them refuse to sign, then they should not be qualified to stand for election. Making verbal promises before election are just election gimmicks, they don't mean what they say.

RR: The Integrity Pledge initiated by Transparency International-Malaysia (TI-M) is not for political parties as such. It is for all candidates standing for the general election (both for parliament and state seats).

By signing this Integrity Pledge, the candidate is saying to the rakyat that he is of impeccable character and that he will not indulge in any corrupt practices and serve the people with humility and without any bias.

This will be watched by the rakyat who will question him of any past wrongdoing that go contrary to the pledge taken.

We must ask all candidates to sign this Integrity Pledge as we want to eradicate corruption at every level of the society.

Deputy minister ready to publicly declare his assets

Anonymous2: I take my hat off to you, Saifuddin, for signing the political integrity pledge and hand it over to TI-M's Paul Low.

Why not do the same and publicly declare your assets too? Forget about getting the green light from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

Anonymous: Saifuddin, you're a man of principle, morality and integrity. This is the leader whom the rakyat have been dreaming to lead this country.

I pray that God would bless your life so that you could lead us one day. But the ship you're on is about to sink, and you alone cannot salvage it.

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