The Umno leadership has been assailed by worry that some of the candidates contesting top party posts are buying votes.

Repeated reminders have been issued by top leaders as divisional meetings ended last month and preparations continue for the party polls next month.

Umno vice-president Muhyiddin Yassin recently advised grassroots leaders to return home. They had already flooded into Kuala Lumpur even though the polls are only due in the middle of next month.

Supreme council member Aziz Shamsuddin similarly reminded candidates not to stoop to the level of those who offer cash for votes.

Bernama quoted Aziz as saying that candidates should allow others to evaluate their personal capabilities.

"We must not use money to buy votes. We do not want the buying of posts but should be willing to make sacrifices as warriors. We need to think of what is best for the society we lead," he said.

Aziz, who is defending his post on the supreme council, said this to reporters after a meeting with the staff and activities committee of the Penang Community Development Department last night.

He also said there would be negative implications for society in the long run if leaders buy votes.

Youth squad

Meanwhile, Terengganu Umno Youth will be rushing more than 1,000 of its members to help Barisan Nasional (BN) during the Kuala Berang by-election on Aug 28.

Terengganu Youth chief Din Adam said the Unit Gerak Gempur Pemuda Perkasa (a blitz squad) would be revived for this purpose, to attract the support of youths just as during campaigning for the general election concluded on March 21.

"We have already identified the issues which will be highlighted during campaigning. We're sure that the Kuala Berang electorate will continue to support BN," he told Bernama .

The Kuala Berang by-election was called following the death of assembly representative Komaruddin Abdul Rahman, 46, on July 30. The Election Commission has fixed Aug 16 as the nomination date.

Din, who is also the chairperson of the state culture, youth, sports and NGO committee, said the election machinery will be officially activated in Kuala Berang on Sunday by Umno Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein.

"We are confident that Kuala Berang will remain in BN hands," he added.