Disciplinary board tells why different people punished differently for similar offences
(The Star) – Different punishments were meted out to Umno members even though they were found guilty of similar offences because of mitigating circumstances, said party disciplinary board chair Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen Tengku Ismail.
Defending the board’s decisions, he cited the difference in punishment given to Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam and Khairy Jamaluddin as an example.
Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen said Khairy, who was also charged for the same offence as Mohd Ali, was let off with a warning because the offences committed by his agents were less serious compared with those committed by Mohd Ali’s agents.
On the other hand, the Malacca Chief Minister was barred from contesting the party election, thus ending his bid for the deputy presidency.
Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen refused to provide the exact details of the offences committed by Mohd Ali’s agents, but said they involved hard cash and were committed on at least two occasions: before the nomination process begun in November and also during the current campaign period.
“The cases involving them are different … thus the punishment must fit the crime,” he added.
Umno legal adviser Datuk Hafarizam Harun, who was also present at the press conference, interjected that in the case of Khairy there was no link that showed that he had given consent to his agents’ actions and that the nexus linking him to his agent was weak although he could not be deemed altogether innocent of the offence.
Asked if the decisions have been endorsed by the management committee or the supreme council, Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen stressed that the board was an independent body.
“The separation of power is there. Nobody should disturb us, (or) interfere with our decision,” he added.
Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen again stressed the impartiality of the board when asked if anybody had tried to interfere with its investigation into the case involving Mohd Ali.
Pressed further on whether anybody had tried do that, Tengku Ahmad Rithaudden said such information was secret.
When asked why the board took so long to make its decisions, considering that the party’s election was just around the corner, he said the board faced a lot of problems in investigating the cases and that it had to be thorough to ensure fairness.
Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen also hinted that the board was also investigating a few others but refused to divulge details. He said the board would continue with its investigations and hearing cases of money politics affecting members although the general assembly and election would be held next week.
The board also found 12 other members guilty of political corruption, with nine of them having their membership suspended for between one and three years effective March 12 while the other three were only given warnings.
Those who were suspended for three years were Sabah Umno Youth head Datuk Japlin Akim, Bandar Tun Razak Wanita Umno head Salmah Pin, Bukit Katil Umno division committee member Rosli Hasan, Bukit Katil Puteri Umno vice-head Zalina Ismail, and Maran Umno Youth head Mohamad Najuib Mohamad Shahaimi.
Thirteen others were also investigated for money politics, but were found not guilty.
On whether the cases will be referred to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen said: “Our basis is ethics, not crime. Ours is ethical crime, where the offence is stated in the code of ethics.”
