MACC warns against vote buying in party polls

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno election candidates have been warned that the Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission will step in to investigate allegations of vote buying in the coming party polls.

Umno disciplinary board special committee acting chairman Tan Sri Megat Najmuddin Megat Khas said the party will closely monitor them in the run-up to the polls.

“I am a member of the MACC advisory board, so I also have a duty to bring up such cases to the authorities if a report is made,” Megat Najmuddin said.

Megat Najmuddin also reminded party

They are not allowed to campaign on their own. — DATUK RAUF YUSUH

members to fully abide by the code of ethics drawn up in 2008 to eradicate vote buying, which he said was still in place.

Under the code, he said candidates are not allowed to organise gatherings with the aim of canvassing for votes, appoint agents to canvas for votes and to slander other candidates or publicise their manifestos in the media, among others.

Party executive-secretary Datuk Rauf Yusuh said Umno will organise a state-by-state nationwide roadshow to introduce the candidates.

This will start on Oct 1 in Perlis, Kedah and Penang and will end on Oct 9 in Sabah.

“The roadshow is the only avenue where the candidates will be allowed to openly campaign and introduce themselves. They are not allowed to campaign on their own.”

Rauf said teams of monitors appointed by the party are already on the ground checking on the candidates and their activities.