UMNO’s Disciplinary Rules and Ethics Apply Only To Some
UMNO’s Discipline Rules and Ethics Apply Only to Some
Zaid Ibrahim
(Posted with permission)
[Background note: With many senior UMNO personalities questioned by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, which in itself an indictment of the party’s Disciplinary and Ethics Tribunal, leaders of UMNO Youth, Putera and Puteri wings recently criticized the Tribunal’s head Tengku Ritahuddeen who had suggested disbanding those party’s wings as a way of curbing corruption. MBM]
The call by Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen, Chairman of UMNO Disciplinary Tribunal, for the party to disband its Youth, Wanita and Puteri wings as part of the measures to curb corruption has attracted much flack from the party’s senior leaders including Dato Najib Razak. Instead of brushing aside the suggestion, as is the standard response of the party when confronted with something new, UMNO leaders should reflect and try to understand what Tengku Rithauddeen was trying to tell them.
The Tengku was exasperated with the extent of corruption permeating the party at all levels. He was saying that the Disciplinary Tribunal alone could no longer cope with the practice and culture of corruption within the organization. As a loyal party man he was trying to politely tell UMNO leaders that it could no longer be salvaged under the present structure, and under the present crop of leaders, I might add.
What makes it difficult for the Tribunal to effectively carry out its functions is the selective prosecution it must practice in the discharge of its duties. Actions can only be taken if required or useful to certain top leaders. The Tribunal lacks clear mandate from the party’s management in dealing with “money politics,” UMNO’s euphemism for corrupt practice.
When I was suspended for allegedly being involved in money politics, I knew that Tengku Rithauddeen, although Chairman, was not involved in the decision. Someone else in the management wanted me out. In essence, UMNO member will be subject to investigation and harassment if he does not belong to the right camp. Many others will escape with impunity and they can bribe the delegates as much as they want and not get the attention of the Tribunal.
Even the Tengku now realizes the futility of having the Disciplinary Tribunal deal with corrupt practice. I therefore urge him to retire or resign from the Tribunal.
UMNO leaders who are critical of the Tengku should also be mindful that they are not supposed to criticize him or the Tribunal. Consider what happened to me for criticizing the Tribunal and for not wanting to apologize when asked. I was suspended from the party because, according to them, I “violated” party ethics. UMNO and ethics? Laughable!
One would expect the same fate would fall on Dato Najib and his friends in the Supreme Council if they were to criticize the Disciplinary Tribunal or its Chairman. That of course is wishful thinking, as in UMNO, the rules apply only to some but not others.