DAP leaders are asking today whether the election of 'corrupt leaders' in Umno will prevent Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi from keeping his word to usher in reforms.

Parliamentary opposition leader Lim Kit Siang questioned whether the election results have tied the hands rather than empower the premier to "walk the talk" in fulfilling his election pledge to lead a clean, incorruptible, accountable, trustworthy and efficient government."

"Just as Abdullah's jumbo-size cabinet had caused widespread disappointment, the defeat of three cabinet ministers and seven deputy ministers in the Umno elections last night, especially those regarded as his 'gurkhas', has tied his hands in leading a government prepared to hear the truth from the people," the former DAP chairperson added.

Yesterday's results in the Umno vice-president and supreme council race saw two new faces assuming the post of party vice-presidents while 13 new members were elected into the party's highest body.

Mohd Isa Samad - who garnered the highest votes for the VP's post - and Abdul Rahim Tamby Chik who was voted into one of the 25 supreme council seats have both been accused of corrupt and unhealthy practices when previously heading their respective states.

Mohd Ali Rustam, who came in second in the VP's race, and Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo , who came out top in the supreme council list, have also been levied similar accusations.

Missing from the speech

"The critical issue after this shock results is whether Abdullah can stamp his personality and commitment on Umno or whether the Umno institution and system is larger and more powerful than an individual, even for a prime minister,' Lim added.

He also found it "most unfortunate" that there was no mention of "restoring the democratic rights of the people...particularly concerning freedom of speech and expression, assembly and association, the right to information represented by a free, independent and responsible media."

Meanwhile, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said the election of Umno leaders who have not been in the forefront of the fight against money politics and corruption can be read as a reaction by Umno against the prime minster.

Lim, who had his civil and political rights reinstated recently, added that the results show the prime minister will face enormous challenges in carrying out his political agenda but hoped he would not be wavered by it.

"DAP hopes that Abdullah's promise of a just and trustworthy government with cultural and moral integrity will not remain empty words," said Lim while offering the party's support to the PM in battling the vice.