NAJIB IS ‘DEAD’, LONG LIVE ZAHID: UMNO MONEY POLITICS – DID ZAHID GIVE THE OK TO JAMAL’S RM1K OFFER TO DELEGATES

Is it money politics?

I listened to Zahid Hamidi’s speech when opening the Sungai Besar Umno division meeting on Wednesday (it was Merdeka Day as well).

He was quite cynical about the division’s chief Jamal Yunos’ payout of RM1,000 each for each delegates attending the meeting but the Deputy Prime Minister had to make it ‘safe’ for Jamal, Sungai Besar division and Umno, especially.

The Press were there, some of whom were quite surprised at the scenario. Maybe Jamal was genuine and sincere in his effort to make everybody happy but the perception is not as expected.

Money politics – a label that had prompted many to become ‘political evil’ – can sometimes come good and bad, depending on how you take it. For the government to channel funding in helping the electorates, is okay to me.

However, for a politician to use money to woo support in ensuring he stays in power, really stinks. The picture given is that, only those with big bucks can become politicians!

Listen to what Umno veteran Rais Yatim says about it:

Jamal Yunos’s decision to pay Umno Sungai Besar delegates RM1,000 in lieu of a sponsored trip to Dubai is proof that the party practises money politics, Rais Yatim said. 
According to a report by Astro Awani, the Umno veteran also said Jamal’s actions had embarrassed the party and had placed it in a bad light in terms of money politics, abuse of power, wastage and buying influence.
“It concerns me that such practices are displayed publicly. Umno will always be shrouded in negativity, specifically the current Barisan Nasional leaders,” he told the news portal when contacted.
Jamal, who is the Umno Sungai Besar division chief, had on Wednesday announced that he would hand out RM1,000 to 600 division leaders and committee members after his decision to cancel a sponsored trip to Dubai.
The cancellation, he explained was made to appease those who could not join in the trip.
Rais also took issue with the fact that Jamal’s action came about when various allegations were being levelled at the Umno leadership.
The special adviser to the government on social-cultural matters, also said he wondered if the money Jamal had in his possession, was used to fund trips and other frivolous pleasures.
“People would ask as to why the money was not used to help orphans,” he was quoted as saying.

Is Jamal to be totally blamed when others – not only in Umno but other parties as well – use money in many occasions, namely general elections, by-elections and party elections?

I have covered most of the events and I have seen how money moved and changed hands.

Zahid, as Umno’s acting deputy president was professional when addressing the matter. Perhaps he didn’t want to insult anybody.

But deep inside, I could sense his disagreement with Jamal, and before netizens start hammering Umno, I think he should make it a point of reminder at his next Umno event…

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