SEPANG, 30 Jan 2009: Candidates contesting for posts at the Umno elections in March will get to meet delegates from the states starting next month, said Umno information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib.
“Umno headquarters is preparing the schedule for the meetings assisted by the 13 state liaison committees,” he said after presenting hampers to single mothers, senior citizens and the disabled at Kampung Orang Asli Bukit Bangkong near here today.
The Regional and Rural Development Minister said candidates were only allowed to meet delegates at the scheduled meetings except for special occasions like weddings and funerals.
“Candidates who had qualified to contest are bound by the ban on campaigning as stated by the party’s code of ethics. The ban includes the hosting of dinners, presenting of gifts and organising of field trips,” he said.
Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Rais Yatim claimed that some members had already started campaigning while he had to abide by the party rules.
The Foreign Minister is one of the candidates who had qualified to contest for one of the three vice president seats.
Muhammad also said party matters like money politics should be referred back to Umno for a decision.
Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) commissioner Datuk Seri Ahmad Said Hamdan said yesterday money politics was deemed corruption and as such it would continue to investigate.
Umno disciplinary board chairperson Tan Sri Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen Tengku Ismail said it would investigate and take action against members according to the party rules. — Bernama
