Dr M lauds move to curb Umno corruption

(Bernama) – Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has welcomed a proposal to amend the Umno constitution to allow 60,000 delegates — instead of 2,600 — to elect the party leaders, saying it would be the best way to check corruption.

He reminded that eventually Umno members would have to change and cease the practice of accepting and giving bribes.

“This is the third amendment to the Umno constitution to check corruption among Umno members, but if Umno members continue to give preference to accepting bribes of RM200 and RM300 than the party, race and country, any amendment will not yield the desired results,” he said.

Mahathir spoke to reporters after opening a brainstorming and character building course organised by the Information Bureau of the Pandan Umno Division at the Umno Empowerment Training Institute (ILMU) in Janda Baik, Pahang.

The draft of the amendment to the Umno constitution is expected to be ready before the party’s general assembly later this year.

Asked about the Manek Urai state by-election in Kelantan on July 14, Mahathir said he preferred to strive to restore Umno’s credibility among its members and supporters because it was they who would determine Umno’s victory and defeat in the future.

He said he was happy that this was the first time in the past six years since his resignation that he had been given the opportunity to address Umno members directly.

“I am more at ease talking to Umno members (at the grassroots) than those higher up because, eventually, it is the grassroots who will determine victory or defeat,” he said.