Bukit Naning assemblyperson Saipolbahri Suib should step down after being suspended by Umno last week for money politics during its party polls, said PKR.

PKR Johor chief Chua Jui Meng ( below ) said the matter was serious as it is a form of corruption, adding that money politics allegations are "extremely chronic" within Umno.

"PKR Johor members have been instructed to lodge reports to the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC)," he said in a statement today.

He urged the MACC to probe the case thoroughly as soon as possible.

On Feb 10 Bernama reported Johor Umno liaison committee secretary Mohd Jais Sarday confirming that Saipolbahri has been suspended as a party member for involvement in money politics during the party elections last year.      

Mohd Jais, who is a senior state executive councillor, declined to elaborate on the suspension or its duration.

Bernama quoted sources saying that Saipolbahri, along with four other leaders of the division, had been suspended for two terms by the Umno disciplinary committee.      

The four others are secretary Mat Saad Amat, information chief Yaacob Jamian, committee member Uzir Sahid and Wanita vice-head Safiah Siwon, they said.      

The sources also said that a meeting was held among leaders of the branches to collect signatures in support of the appeal against the suspensions to be submitted to Umno president Najib Razak.      

Mat Saad, when contacted, told Bernama they were in the process of forwarding the appeal.  

The Bukit Naning assemblyperson is also chairperson of the National Farmers Association (Nafas) and retained the post of divisional chief after beating his challengers, the late Mazlan Sabari and Lokman Mohd Dom, in the elections.