Government machineries are allegedly being used to campaign against former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad in the Kubang Pasu Umno division elections in Kedah.

According to sources, the anti-Mahathir faction had started its campaign in the area two weeks ago.

The faction is allegedly being aided by several government agencies, including the Biro Tatanegara (BTN).

It was also alleged that Umno branch leaders in Kubang Pasu identified as being supporters of Mahathir have been called up and advised against 'being active in the coming polls'.

The anti-Mahathir faction is also said to have secured the help of dignitaries from within and outside the locality.

Sources said the faction is 'baiting' division committee members with the excuse, 'Don't vote for Mahathir and preserve his dignity. He should not be reduced to level of a division delegate'.

Sources also claimed that university students and members of the Peninsula Malay Students Coalition (GPMS) were also being deployed for door-to-door campaigning.

Commenting on this, a branch leader from the Jitra zone said: "Using government machineries is common during general elections but it is now being used for an Umno division election.

"This is unfair and embarrassing," added the branch leader, who declined to be named.

He also criticised the decision by a certain Umno leader to use students as the law prohibited them from being involved in politics.

Sources also claimed that the anti-Mahathir faction was flouting the election rules by taking branch members 'to eat ikan bakar in Kuala Kedah'.

Home Ministry officials

Meanwhile, the pro-Mahathir faction is also intensifying its efforts to garner votes from the 408 delegates who will attend the division's meet this Saturday.

The delegates will elect seven candidates to represent the division at this November's Umno general assembly in Kuala Lumpur. Apart from Mahathir, his son Mukhriz is also in the race.

Sources said Mukhriz, who is a Kubang Pasu division committee member, arrived in the area today to spearhead the campaign for his father and him.

He will be on a tight schedule until Friday, during which he will meet branch leaders in the division and will convey his father's 'salam' (greetings) to the Umno members in Kubang Pasu.

Mahathir, who helmed the nation and Umno for 22 years, is expected to arrive in Kubang Pasu Saturday morning.

Mahathir, who hails from Kedah, was the former Kubang Pasu Umno chief and parliamentarian until his retirement in 2003.

According to the official list, Mukhriz is in the number two spot after securing 50 nominations from the branches while Mahathir only managed to secure 16.

Kubang Pasu Umno secretary Shamsuddin Ahmad took pole position among the 17 candidates with 70 nominations.

In a related development, PAS organ Harakadaily reported that numerous Home Ministry officials are currently in Kubang Pasu to allegedly 'sabotage' Mahathir's chances.

PAS committee member Mahfuz Omar claimed that the presence of ministry officials was admitted by Kubang Pasu Umno members themselves.

"This shows there is concern and anxiety regarding Tun (Mahathir). They are trying to stop him because they don't want their fraudulent and corrupt practices to be exposed," he was quoted as saying.