An Umno branch leader in Kubang Pasu said he was 'quarantined' for six days during the run-up to the Sept 9 division contest which saw former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad failing in his bid to be elected as a delegate.

Kampung Darat Umno chief Ibrahim Ariffin accused his employer Tekun Nasional Foundation of giving out the order because he was identified as a Mahathir supporter. The foundation falls under the Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Ministry.

Ibrahim, who was among the five who lodged a complaint with the Umno disciplinary board last week, told malaysiakini today he was only allowed to go to work at his office in Sungai Petani.

The five claimed that the Kubang Pasu contest was tainted with money politics, outside intervention and threats.

The other complainants are Kampung Lembah Arang Umno member Aminuddin Omar, Kampung Biak branch member Ismail Taib, Kampung Darat branch Youth chief Nor Mohamad Darus and Kampung Kemunting branch secretary Rozi Razak.

According to Ibrahim, his superiors in the foundation had forbade him from attending a function with Mahathir on Sept 3.

"I was not in confinement but kept under quarantine. I could go to the Tekun Foundation office in Sungai Petani but could not join the Mahathir group," he said.

"Tekun officials from Putrajaya warned me personally. If I refused to listen, the officials said they would not be responsible for what happens to my contract," he added.

Allegation denied

Ibrahim, who admitted to being a long time supporter of Mahathir, claimed that the Kubang Pasu Umno division had instructed the foundation's officials to extend the warning.

Asked why he did not file a complaint with the Kubang Pasu Umno headquarters, he replied: "I don't believe in their transparency."

"I filed the complaint (with the disciplinary board) following the call by Umno president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who wanted official complaints on money politics and wrongdoings in the contest," he added.

Meanwhile, Kubang Pasu Umno secretary Samsuddin Ahmad denied that Ibrahim was placed under quarantine.

"I think he confined himself and now accuses Umno of confining him," he said when contacted.

In the Sept 9 contest, Mahathir, who led the Kubang Pasu division for more than three decades, came out ninth among the 15 candidates while his son Mukhriz took the fifth spot.

The contest was held to elect seven delegates to represent the division at November's Umno general assembly in Kuala Lumpur.

Mahathir, who helmed the nation and Umno for 22 years up to his retirement in 2003, attributed his defeat to money politics and a preferred candidates list.

The Umno leadership has denied the money politics allegation.