As some 146,000 Umno delegates hit the polls to pick their top leadership today, vice-president candidate Mukhriz Mahathir has demanded an apology from a news portal for suggesting he is involved in money politics.

NONE According to a report in Utusan Malaysia today, Mukhriz ( left ) denied a report by The Malaysian Insider quoting sources claiming that his campaign had issued 1.2 million short text messages and is allegedly handing out cash, too.

"This action is an ill-intentioned, aimed at tarnishing my reputation. I have never practised money politics in my political career.

"On the contrary, I am strongly against money politics," he was quoted as saying.

According to the report, Mukhriz is demanding a withdrawal of the article and an apology by 10am today or will take legal action.

The news portal has defended the report, stating that it did not accuse Mukhriz of money politics but was merely relying on Umno branches and divisional sources in Kuala Lumpur and Johor.

However, later, Malaysian Insider retracted its report and apologised.

"It has been brought to our attention that the report is inaccurate. The offending articles have been removed. Any inconvenience caused is regretted," it said in a statement this morning.

Report removed from website

In an immediate response, Bernama reported that Mukhriz had dropped his intention to take legal action against the news portal.

Mukhriz said Malaysian Insider had also removed the report, which was posted on its website yesterday.

"The report emerged at the last minute while we had been campaigning in the Umno elections for two weeks and no such insinuation or bad assumption came about.

"It (allegation of money politics) prompted me to take legal action against the Malaysian Insider as a warning to them and to defend myself. Independent online and alternative media must be ethical in their news reporting," he told reporters in Jitra today.

Earlier today, Mukhriz won the post of Jerlun Umno chief unopposed.

The menteri besar, who is also contesting for one of the three Umno

vice-president posts, however, did not dismiss the possibility that the publication of the report was masterminded by certain individuals who wanted to see him lose the contest for the post.

Apart from Malaysian Insider , a statement on a Facebook account, allegedly belonging to Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, also claimed that the party had acted against Mukhriz and disqualified him from the contest for a vice-president post.

"This is indeed another unethical attempt, done with ill-intention, to

prevent me from being elected as Umno vice-president," Mukhriz said.

Related stories

Incumbents win clean sweep despite Mukhriz challenge

All the president's men keep Mahathir at bay

Official: Hishammuddin 100, Mukhriz 91

Cabinet ministers dominate supreme council race

Umno money politics claims 'mostly lies'

Hishammuddin regrets 'weak leader' label

Muhyiddin denies posting FB statement on Mukhriz

Umno polls kick off, results later today

Umno polls today - it's old guard vs older guard

You weren't the chosen one either, Dr M

Go ahead Ali Rustam, shut down 'haram businesses'

Umno is up the creek without a paddle