Wait for disciplinary board, says Ali Rustam

By Adib Zalkapli, The Malaysian Insider

Amid speculation that a leading contender for the Umno deputy presidential race was expected to be called by the party’s disciplinary board, Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam was non committal tonight when asked whether he had received notification to appear before the board over allegations of vote buying.

“You have to ask the disciplinary board,” Ali told reporters when met at a dinner with party assembly delegates organised by Selangor Umno.

He also urged everyone to be patient and to wait for the disciplinary board to make a statement.

“Wait for the disciplinary committee to issue a statement, we can’t say anything,” said Mohd Ali.

The board, which has received about 1,000 complaints on money politics is scheduled to meet tomorrow afternoon.

Mohd Ali who is widely seen as the favourite candidate to win the Umno’s No 2 post is also expected to meet state division leaders tomorrow morning, which is believed to be related to the series of allegation targeted against him.

“It is for preparation for the general assembly, nothing to do with anything else,” said Mohd Ali in dismissing the rumour.

The issue of vote buying or money politics during the party election has always been a contentious problem in Umno.

The severity of the practice had also led recently to a delegate Datuk Kadar Shah Ninam Shah threatening to seek a court order to stop Umno from holding its assembly.