SHAH ALAM, 18 Oct: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) should be more proactive and brave without being trapped captive under Umno in investigating allegations of money politics involving three Vice-President incumbents of the party.
Member of Parliament for Bukit Katil, Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin said that he welcomed the call by Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) urging the MACC to step in and take stern action against the alleged practice of money politics in Umno.
He said the MACC cannot consider the problem of money politics as an internal problem which only happens in Umno because the effect would be detrimental to the country’s future if it is not addressed in a timely manner.
Previously, the President of TI-M, Datuk Akhbar Satar, said they received numerous feedbacks that a lot of money is being used and distributed in ‘special’ programmes organised for the three Vice-President incumbents, who are holding senior ministerial posts.
The three individuals are; the Home Affairs Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, and the Defense Minister, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
They will be challenged by the Chairman of Felda, Tan Sri Mohd Isa Samad, former Chief Minister of Malacca Senator Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam, and the Chief Minister of Kedah, Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir.
Shamsul said the problem of money politics could lead the nation towards disputing their leadership credibility in spurring development and progress in the long term.
He said, wastage and improvidence of the country’s funds amounting to RM30 billion reported in the Audit Report 2012 is a result of the practice of money politics in Umno and the problem should be stopped immediately.
