I AM sad and distressed to learn that many Umno divisions and members have nominated a dubious and questionable politician to hold the second highest position in the party.

Many in Umno would say that the Umno elections are an internal party matter and that non-members are not involved, thus do not have the locus standi to comment.

However, since by convention the deputy president of Umno will also become the deputy prime minister in a Barisan Nasional government, every citizen has a stake as to who is elected for high offi ce in an Umno election.

The politician in question, would quickly stress that he was tried in the court of law in a foreign country (thus, no question of interference by the Malaysian executive) and was found to be innocent.

If Umno desires to regain the trust and support of the general public for the Barisan Nasional government, electing this tainted politician is defi - nitely not the way to go.

Adri Hemy Abdul Ghani
Jeddah

Source: The Sun – November 11, 2008