In the Umno polls, money still talks, say warlords

Jumaat, 18 Oktober 2013

In the Umno polls, money still talks, say warlords

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the last 48 hours before the 2013 Umno polls, delegates have been saying that money was being splashed around and there was fear that the votes could be manipulated to ensure certain people win.

The Malaysian Insider also learnt that victorious Wanita Umno leader Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil and her colleagues are campaigning heavily for some of the candidates in the vice-presidential race, particularly Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.

"The race is tight for all posts up for grabs. Let's just say there is a ribut emas (golden storm)," an Umno warlord told The Malaysian Insider, describing the amounts of money being distributed for tomorrow's election.

About 146,000 delegates in 191 divisions will vote in the first electoral-college style system to elect their national leaders. Umno will also hold divisional elections on the same day.

"There is definitely some hujan emas (golden storm) going on," another party official said, adding that delegates were getting as much as RM300 for their votes.

However, he did not name the candidates who were throwing money to win the election for three vice-presidents and 25 supreme council members.

The other top posts are appointed by unopposed party president Datuk Seri Najib Razak, the Prime Minister.

Apart from Hishammuddin, the other incumbent vice-presidents are Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal.

All three are close to the party grassroots with Ali and Shafie having run a few private campaigns that have raised their standing among the party members.

"The networking system will help them a lot especially with their peers," said the party official.
They are being challenged by Felda chairman Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad, former Malacca chief minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam and Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir.

Party insiders say that a combination of personality and networking among the divisional leaders has given Ahmad Zahid the lead in the vice-presidential race, followed by Shafie and Hishammuddin.

"Don't be surprised if Hishammuddin pulls though and gets a high score," one party official said, when commenting on talk that the Defence Minister could face defeat in the polls.

He said there was talk of some manipulation in how the votes are counted, with at least two cases reported in the capital city.

"Some delegates are watching the polls like a hawk as they are not happy with the different results that come out in the divisional polls."

The party official added  that Mukhriz's challenge has faltered a bit as the Kedah menteri besar was largely unknown among the candidates apart from having former party president and prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as his father and chief campaigner.

"We can't live on past glories and the current incumbents have a better chance than their challengers," said a party warlord, noting that two incumbents, Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin, and Shahrizat, had already been re-elected last Saturday. Posted & copy by Rakyat Marhaen