The recent run-up to the Umno division elections was interesting - thanks to the 'small tiger' in Kuantan who roared on money politics and the small ruckuses cooked up at a few other divisions, such as Libaran in Sabah.

However, an Umno politician stated that division elections in certain states were uneventful because there was no outside interference from the powers-that-be or others with vested interests.

Some observers said this year's divisional elections would see the purging of all memories of jailed former Umno deputy president Anwar Ibrahim and thus the interference from those who are still haunted by Anwar's specter.

They said not only was it going to be a cleansing of those that have been empowering the opposition, it was also going to be an exorcising of those with bodies in Umno but souls in the opposition.

There are 165 divisions and18 division leaders have already been returned unopposed in the ongoing divisional elections.

The bigger 'tigers' of Umno roaming in Putrajaya repeatedly warned before and during the elections that the party will not condone money politics and other immoral tactics to win, never mind the fact that these warnings have been aired at previous elections and, as usual, will go unheeded.

In line with these warnings, the 'sweets' given out this year were less sweeter, but nonetheless quite tasty.

Vacations abroad were converted to local holidays, to increase local tourism and what was traditionally given out under the table is now debited straight into bank accounts.

The president, however, said there were so many allegations of money politics but no proof, so no action would be taken. No investigation will be launched as Umno will only act when there is proof, he said.

Shed tears

On the same note, Tengku Ahmad Rithaudeen, head of the party disciplinary committee, said that poison pen letters will not be entertained.

One Umno member questioned the fact that the ones who practise money politics are normally big names and to lodge reports against them takes much courage.

Thus, it came as a surprise to the top Umno leaders when Kuantan division's Beserah state assemblyman Fauzi Abdul Rahman sent in a resignation letter protesting that money politics in the division robbed him of the needed nominations to contest.

Fauzi said the Umno secretary-general Khalil Yaakob had abused his powers during his tenure as the Pahang Chief Minister between 1986 and 1999. Among the allegations, Fauzi claimed that Khalil had distributed logging areas not according to the National Forestry Policy quota.

Umno President Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who once shed tears and blew into his kerchief to beg Umnonites not to involve themselves in money politics, knew fully well that Umno cannot afford another by-electio - not after the famous Lunas defeat.

After making sure that Fauzi fully meant what he alleged and was not in cohorts with the opposition (Fauzi's connections with Anwar is well-known), the top Umno leaders took great pains to ensure the allegations were looked into by the party's disciplinary board.

In fact, the top Umno people took up Fauzi's case personally and his resignation issue died a quiet death.

Giants drop

Then came the commotions in various Umno divisions. The exciting happenings took place in Jelutong, Teluk Kemang and Hulu Selangor.

In Jelutong, it was at the youth meeting, where the meeting had to be postponed.

In Teluk Kemang, chairs and tables were thrown about, while a more dramatic scene unraveled in Hulu Selangor where Beranang state assemblyman Ahmad Kuris Mohd Noor was alleged to have pointed a pistol at a retired policeman.

Ahmad's stunt did not win him any seats as he lost to Selangor Deputy Chief Minister Zainal Abidin and his team.

The Sabah Umno division elections, which are normally quiet 'family affairs' - as termed by Libaran division chief Musa Aman - this time around gained national notoriety after commotions by its youth leader Sahar Saka at the Wanita division meeting.

A number of Umno giants, hanging on only by virtue of their ties to the very top, dropped with a thud in this year's divisional elections.

Among them were former Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs minister Megat Junid Megat Ayub in Pasir Salak and deputy education minister Aziz Shamsuddin.

The former lost to Ramli Ngah Talib who obviously will not be eager to rope in Megat Junid in the near future.

"I have not thought of that yet," said Ramli, when asked whether he will save a place for the one he defeated.

Aziz, currently recuperating after a heart surgery and the former press secretary to the Prime Minister, lost to Senator Mustaffa Kamal Nawi in Gopeng.

Skidded and crashed

On the women's side, the giants that fell were equally heavy.

Among them were Kuala Pilah member of parliament Napsiah Omar, who has held the Kuala Pilah Wanita Umno division chief post since 1992.

The former National Unity and Social Development minister lost to Negeri Sembilan state exco Norhayati Omar (no relation).

Another one that fell was Sabah Wanita Umno head Dayang Mahani Pengiran Ahmad Rafie, a senator, who lost in Sipitang to incumbent Sapawi Ahmad.

The race for Umno Youth was action-packed with two misses - Shamsul Anwar Sulaiman who skidded and crashed out of the race, losing to bus company owner Zamri Abdullah by a mere 10 votes and Wan Khairil Anuar Wan Ahmad who lost the division vice- president post in Kuala Kangsar.

Wan Khairil's case was interesting as he won that very same post with the most number of votes last year.

On the whole, the Beserah storm has blown over and the 'sweets' have been handed out. The smear campaigns will continue though, even after the elections are long over.

Umno deputy president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had said he will rap the knuckles of those who still insist on using immoral tactics - even if they have already won the seats.

Top man Mahathir, however, said that those who have lost should just give way to winners.

Will Umno division elections ever be different from children squabbling for seats in a musical chairs game while elders shout out the rules? We can only ponder and wonder.

ZAKIAH KOYA is a malaysiakini journalist.