Umno urges MACC to act before March 24

(The Star) – Umno wants the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to investigate all allegations and charge anyone involved in money politics before its general assembly on March 24.

Its secretary-general, Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Mansor, said that if a candidate was charged after being elected to one of the top posts, the party might be forced to remove or suspend the person and the post would become vacant.

“We will not interfere in the cases but there is still a lot of time before the general assembly and we hope MACC can act by then,” Tengku Adnan told reporters after attending the Putrajaya Youth Badminton Tournament 2009 here yesterday.

He was commenting on reports that a top Puteri Umno leader was being investigated by the Umno disciplinary board for money politics. She allegedly gave money through five agents to garner votes.

Tengku Adnan said those facing charges over money politics would not be allowed to contest while delegates charged by the commission would not be allowed to vote.

He said the board would also conclude its investigations before the general assembly.

He added that the board would not be passing any cases to the MACC for now and would conduct its own internal investigations.

“We will only hand over cases to the MACC if we find them big and we cannot handle them.”