Former Umno Jelutong division head Abdul Rashid Ismail is a sore loser, newly-elected division chief Md Nor Hussin said today.

Md Nor was commenting on the accusations by Abdul Rashid that the recent Jelutong Umno divisional elections were rigged. Umno Jelutong is under the Penang Umno.

The Star reported today that Abdul Rashid alleged that a state party leader had plotted his downfall by influencing delegates to vote against him in the recent elections.

Another Umno member from the P Ramlee branch, Sahul Hamid was also reported to have said that he was willing to take an oath saying that he had overheard a conversation of an Umno Wanita head being promised titles and posts if Abdul Rashid was defeated.

"After the results were announced, both parties who had won and lost and those protesting were called in and the whole process was transparent during that meeting.

Then, Abdul Rashid in his speech said he will support the one who wins and will guide the new post holders. However, now he turns around and says that he has proof that the elections was not valid," said Md Nor.

On the allegation that an Umno Wanita head was promised a Datuk-ship and a senator's post if Abdul Rashid was defeated, Md Nor said, "That Wanita Umno head, Sahrifah Aminah is long deserving of a Datuk-ship but Abdul Rashid has been doing all he can to stop her from receiving it.

So, now if she does receive it, he will say 'Look! I told you so'," said Md Nor

Memberships terminated

Md Nor said he had remained silent on the "efforts by Abdul Rashid" to ensure that he (Abdul Rasid) will not be defeated during the recent division elections.

"I am quite fed up. Even Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (Penang Umno State chief) knows about Abdul Rashid but he has kept quiet too, so as to not ruffle feathers and keep the state Umno intact," said Md Nor.

He added Abdul Rashid had in many ways blocked and tried to terminate the membership of quite a number of Umno members in the division so as to keep his post.

"He had supporters but after Umno members found him using these tactics, his support slowly waned," said Md Nor, adding that Abdul Rashid should just accept the fact that he had lost his post and not stir up the whole division for his own gain.

Umno held its divisional elections last month amid warnings from the Umno Supreme Council to candidates not to get involved in money politics to get votes.

A disciplinary board was also set up to investigate complaints received on rigged elections. Umno President Dr Mahathir Mohamad had said that those found guilty of alleged corruption would have to step down from their posts.