MONEY politics is rampant in Umno. There seems to be no way out to check this menace as long as the quota system remains intact.

Money politics emerged after the quota system for nominations to contest a post in the Umno supreme council and divisional level was introduced during Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s era as Umno president.

It became too obvious when Tun Ghafar Baba was challenged for the deputy president’s post.

Dr Mahathir should take responsibility for allowing money politics to emerge in Umno and for not taking any action to check it.

Initially, it was done secretly, but later, it was done openly. Delegates ask aspiring candidates what they would get in return for supporting them.

Some delegates even had their bank account numbers ready in their pocket to be handed over to the candidates.

Free trips, both local and overseas, dinners and gifts, including paying downpayment for the purchase of Proton cars, were common.

Dr Mahathir cannot claim to be unaware of money politics in Umno during his reign as president of the party.

I agree with Dr Chandra Muzaffar that money politics has become a cancer in Umno ( “An oath to refrain will help” — NST, Nov 13).

However, I disagree with Chandra that an oath by all those involved in contests for posts in the supreme council and their agents to refrain from indulging in money politics will help.

What effect can an oath have on them?

Aspiring candidates are willing to do anything as long as they get the required nominations and then bribe again to get elected.

The delegates too are only interested in how much they can squeeze out of each candidate during the election period.

However, the agents of the candidates will continue to get benefits from the winners till the next Umno election in three years’ time.

Money politics has become a culture in Umno. The Umno Disciplinary Board has not been able to check this menace for various reasons. So far the cases handled by it represent only the tip of the iceberg. The majority manage to escape.

It is very obvious that if you do not use money and power or abuse your position, you will never be able to get enough nominations to contest.

This will happen so long as the quota system introduced during Dr Mahathir’s era is not abolished.

People are laughing at Umno and its members. Umno members are day dreaming and not bothered about the threat from the opposition.

It looks like the recent general election results have no impact on Umno leaders and members.

It is really funny that many Umno leaders and members condemn money politics but make no effort to stop it.

Everybody is against money politics only to please themselves, the members and the public. There has never been any serious effort to stop this menace which is going to destroy Umno.

The only way to check money politics in Umno is to dismantle the quota system first and then allow all Umno members to vote at the division and supreme council level.

It would be very difficult to bribe thousands of members at the divisional level and the more than three million members at the grassroots level.

Such an initiative must be taken now so that Umno becomes strong and relevant to face the next general election. Our Umno leaders and members must act rather than just talk.

Z.A.K., Kuala Lumpur

Source: NST – November 18, 2008