Najib: Ali Rustam not made a scapegoat
(The Star) – Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam was not made a scapegoat in Umno’s effort to quell money politics, said the party’s Deputy President Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
Neither was Ali Rustam deliberately sabotaged in his bid for the Deputy President’s post in upcoming party polls, Najib said.
The Deputy Prime Minister said the party’s disciplinary board acted based on information and complaints, adding it would not have taken action if there were no reports, even if they were aware of wrongdoing committed by party members.
“No, Ali Rustam is not a scapegoat; this is not the case. Neither is he a victim of sabotage because the disciplinary board acted based on complaints,” he told reporters after launching the Inland Revenue Board’s electronic services on Thursday.
Mohd Ali was barred from contesting in the coming party polls after the disciplinary board found him guilty of breaching party ethics on Monday.
He was found guilty under Article 10.1 of the party’s code of ethics, whereby he was presumed guilty for the actions of third parties.
Asked if the decision to allow Mohd Ali to continue serving as Chief Minister would send the wrong signal to party members and the people, Najib said the board had made the decision based on facts where the “breach of code of ethics was done by third parties”.
“The board acts independently about the decision it wants to take on the individuals before it. We do not interfere,” he said when asked why some members who have been charged in court for vote buying were allowed to contest for party polls while others found committing same offence were let off with a warning.
Najib said that Mohd Ali had the right to appeal against the decision and it would be up to the Appeals Panel to decide on his case.
“In any case, there is an avenue to appeal. He has the right to appeal and we cannot deny his right. Whether he is successful or not depends on the panel’s discretion,” he said when commenting on former Prime Minister and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s statement that Umno should not entertain any appeals involving money politics.
Najib also urged members not to question the disciplinary board’s credibility as its members were entrusted to shoulder the heavy responsibility of “protecting Umno’s image and name”.
He said the party would have to take a firm stand in upholding its good name and must not allow negative activities to be carried out by members who are out to secure positions.
“Mind you, the job of the disciplinary board members is not easy and it is not a fun job. A lot of time is taken to investigate cases and therefore, we cannot question their intention and credibility.
“Neither should we accuse them of having an agenda. Serious implications will arise should we start questioning them,” he said.
