Two police reports have been lodged against several former Puteri Umno leaders in Penang over their alleged misappropriation of RM10,000 raised for single mothers in the state.

The reports, lodged by Pertubuhan Penita Pulau Pinang (single mothers' group), claimed that an Umno branch leader was also involved together with the ex-Puteri Umno leaders from the Jelutong division.

The money was collected from a fund raising dinner held last December in George Town.

Penita coordinator Sarama Abdullah, who lodged the reports, is also planning to file a civil suit to recover the money.

In her police reports, she named former Puteri Umno Jelutong chief Wardah Abu Bakar, information chief Mehar Banu Mohamad Saleh, treasurer Anila Abdullah, committee members Che Puteh Abu Bakar, Nooraini Mohamed Saleh and Fazilah Suleiman as those responsible for embezzling the money.

The branch leader accused of involvement was named as Mohd Abidin Mohd Noor from the Persisiran Sungai Umno branch.

DAP's help sought

Penita has sought legal assistance from opposition party DAP. The association resorted to legal action after its pleas to Umno at the divisional, state, federal and presidential levels, fell on deaf ears.

"We are disappointed that even Umno president and Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has failed to help us," said Sarama.

According to her, Penita organised the fund-raising dinner in collaboration with Puteri Umno Jelutong and since Penita is not registered, the Puteri Umno leaders volunteered to coordinate the financial proceeds.

"Our understanding was that the proceeds collected through ticket sales and sponsorships will be banked under Puteri Umno's account and then distributed to 25 single mothers," she said.

Under the arrangement, each single mother, who is a member of Penita, would receive RM300.

The remaining money would be given to Penita.

"However, until today, the money was never returned to us," Sarama told malaysiakini .

She said Puteri Umno Jelutong did not fork out a single sen for the dinner or attempt to secure sponsors for it.

"We were cheated," lamented a visibly upset Sarama.

Under suspension

The Penita leader had also learnt another shocking news recently.

Apparently, the Puteri Umno leaders alleged to be involved were under party suspension at the time of the dinner and their official participation in the dinner breached party rules.

Sarama claims to have received threatening calls from unidentified people - including some who said they were lawyers purportedly representing Puteri Umno Jelutong - telling her to forego her demands for the money.

Several of the Puteri Umno leaders, who have been relinquished of their posts and their memberships still under suspension, have also issued legal notices threatening court action if she refused to back down.

In their legal notices, they denied any involvement in the fund raising dinner and cited their suspensions as the main reason for this.

As to the slow police response to her reports lodged on Jan 20 and Feb 6, Sarama hinted at the possibility of political intervention.

ATHI VEERANGGAN is malaysiakini 's Penang-based stringer.