The law requires that the use of force or intimidation during an election be referred to the police for the culprits to be brought to book, Kelantan Umno deputy head Zaid Ibrahim said today.

He was responding to a New Straits Times report quoting acting Umno deputy president Najib Abdul Razak as saying that Umno members should not make public internal allegations of thuggery or intimidation before those claims were investigated and substantiated.

Zaid, who is member of parliament for Kota Bahru, stressed that the "... use of force or intimidation in an election process is a criminal act punishable under the Penal Code."

"The law requires that such acts be reported to the police," he said.

"Umno may not want its members to lodge police reports but the law requires police reports be lodged if felonies are committed," he added.

Najib's remarks were in reaction to Zaid's statement on Sunday that he (Zaid) had received numerous complaints on the use of thugs and threats in the run-up to Umno's branch and divisional elections in September.

In his capacity as Umno Kota Bahru division chief, Zaid had told reporters that they were gathering evidence on claims of intimidation made by branch leaders, and " ... we won't hesitate to lodge police reports over them".

In his statement today, Zaid also said it was not his intention to suggest that there were in fact thugs within the party and that he only meant that he has received reports of Umno branch chairmen being placed under such pressure.

Two-front battle

Met this afternoon, Zaid said his call for police investigations was made in the context of "... advice from an old man to party members reminding them that the democratic process must work properly."

The party, he said, must make clear that it "...does not condone underhand tactics... so that free will and the democratic process will prevail."

"We must keep the people reminded that in a democratic culture, elections must be conducted in an open and intelligent manner," he said.

Umno branch elections will conclude on June 23 with divisional elections slated to begin on July 7.

The Kota Bahru divisional election is scheduled to start on July 9, and a keen contest is expected for Zaid's position as branch chairperson.

Former division chairperson Ahmad Rastom is tipped to be the challenger. Zaid beat Ahmad by a margin of only four votes during the 2000 elections. Zaid is also in the fray to grab a party vice-president's post during the polls.

Asked about his two-front battle, Zaid said competition was part and parcel of politics. The politician however admitted that his bid for an Umno veep post '...will not be easy'.