Civil war erupts in Umno: Muhyiddin's man the latest to be accused of corruption

The dirt is starting to hit the fan. Frustrated and fed-up Umno factions are starting to blow the whistle on each other.

Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin is the latest to be drawn into the Umno corruption pit with his senior private secretary accused of receiving more than RM100,000 in monthly 'contributions'.

In Malaysia's graft tainted political scene, top leaders like Muhyiddin and his boss Prime Minister Najib Razak would never collect bribes directly, with payments allegedly channeled through their aides.

"I am not aware except for what I read in the blog. I will look into this. Whatever that is said to be linked to anyone, or my department, I will look into," Muhyiddin told reporters on Tuesday.

Whistle blower or civil war?

A blogger going by the name of whistleblower711 had alleged that Mohd Shukor Abdul Manan, the DPM's senior aide, received more than RM100,000 in monthly contributions.

This revelation follows another report that Awang Adek Hussin, who is Najib's private secretary as well as the Deputy Finance Minister Awang Adek, also received monetary contributions.

Awang has admitted the payments into his account, saying that these for charity programmes in Bachok, where he is Umno division leader.

However, speculation is rife that more 'revelations' will be made soon, as Umno leaders try to get at each other by exposing their respective unsavory activities.

Tit for tat

Najib has been blamed for the latest eruption of civil war in Umno after his camp went after Women's Chief Shahrizat Jalil over the RM250 million NFC debacle.

The Najib faction had also hoped to pull the rug out from under Muhyiddin, whom they fear will challenge Najib for the Umno presidency next year.

Also on the Najib hit list were Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and former premier Abdullah Badawi, who had recommended Shahrizat to Muhyiddin for the NFC project.

But it looks like another clumsy move that is set to boomerang on the PM, who is not known for either his political finesse or integrity. In particular, there is concern among party elders that such free-for-all will hasten Umno's implosion.

Malaysia Chronicle