Umno leaders and members of the party's disciplinary board can be prosecuted for obstruction of justice it they do not cooperate fully with the Anti Corruption Agency (ACA) into cases of money politics.

Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang pointed out today that this is the point made by Prime Minister and Umno president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi when he said that the ACA could act in cases of money politics in Umno without having to get prior clearance from Umno leaders.

"The prime minister's statement is indeed timely," he said in a statement.

Lim also stressed that it is urgent and imperative for the premier to clear the air as Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had made a baseless claim that it is not automatic that all cases of money politics in Umno need be referred to the ACA.

"This violates both the spirit and letter of the law and constitution of the land," he said.

Turn over evidence

The DAP stalwart added that all Umno leaders and in particular, members of Umno disciplinary board, should fully co-operate if ACA start investigations into allegations of money politics in the party.

"They should volunteer and turn over to the ACA all relevant information and evidence about money politics, or they will be party to the crime of corruption by refusing to divulge all available information to the ACA," he asserted.

He advised Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail to warn Umno leaders and the party's disciplinary board members that they could be prosecuted for obstructing the course of justice if they refuse to fully co-operate into all cases of money politics.

In a statement yesterday, Lim called on the premier to let the ACA probe allegations of money politics in Umno. In response, Abdullah said that Umno will not usurp the powers of ACA.

Lim also said he was 'amazed' that ACA director-general Zulkipli Mat Noor has to take more than two months to discover and recognise that money politics is corruption.

"However, it's better late than never for the ACA to recognise the nature of corruption," he said.