SIX FOUND GUILTY BY UMNO BOARD

By : Sajahan Abdul Waheed

Tengku Ahmad Rithaudeen

KUALA LUMPUR: Seremban Umno division head Datuk Ishak Ismail and his Labuan counterpart, Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman, have been let off with a warning after being found guilty by the party disciplinary board yesterday.

Ishak had been charged with carrying out activities amounting to sabotaging the Barisan Nasional candidate during the March general election, while Suhaili's offence was misusing his powers while officiating branch meetings.

Ishak, who is former Lenggeng assemblyman, and Suhaili, who was previously Labuan member of parliament, were dropped as candidates in the general election.

The disciplinary decisions were disclosed by board chairman Tengku Ahmad Rithau-deen during a press conference at the party headquarters.

"After looking into the complaints made against them and investigating the matter, we have reached this decision," he said.
Others who were found guilty and let off with a warning included Datuk Mustaffar Kamal Ab Hamid and Datuk Abdullah Abu Bakar for money politics. The duo had contested the Raub Umno division head and deputy post respectively.

Also given warnings were branch permanent speaker Datuk Yunus Kurus and branch head Alias Hussin, both from Labuan, for misusing their powers during the branch meetings.

Those who were investigated but found not guilty are: Jelin Dasanap, Majial Mangulizang and Kampun Inok from Kota Marudu Umno division); Datuk Ahmad Yassin and Jaafar Ahmad from Ledang Umno; and Shahri Ismail and Jamilah Endan from Tanjong Piai Umno.

Tengku Ahmad Rithaudeen also said the board would recommend to the supreme council that Isang Rawai, an Umno member from Kota Marudu and Mohd Shamsuddin Dawam from Ledang be expelled.

Isang had contested as an independent candidate in the March general election, while Mohd Shahmsuddin was representative for the Pas candidate who contested against Umno.

"We have conducted our investigations and will submit our recommendations to the supreme council to expel the two as the board does not have the jurisdiction to do so. It will then be up to the supreme council," said Tengku Ahmad Rithaudeen.

He said so far, the board has received 632 complaints for various offences, including election sabotage and money politics. Of that, investigations into 135 complaints had been completed.

The disciplinary board had on Sept 29 suspended nine members, including a division chief, for election sabotage and political corruption.

Another member was let off with a warning.

SOURCE: NEW STRAITS TIMES, 24 OCTOBER 2008