Catch bribe-givers, not bribe-takers, Umno delegate says

UMNO AGM The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission should go after those who give bribes and not those who take it, said an Umno delegate in jest.

"If no one gives, then no one will take," Negeri Sembilan delegate Syamsul Amri Ismail quipped.

On a more serious note, Syamsul Amri urged Umno delegates to strengthen their religious resolve and reject corruption, and uphold the trust bestowed upon them.

Quoting the Prophet Muhammad, he said: "Unfaithful are those who don't keep their trust."

He then related a humourous conversation about how to reject bribes.

A: Here is RM50.
B: Don't bribe me.

A: RM100?
B: Don't test me.

A: RM500?
B: You're going too far.

A: RM700?
B: You're really testing my patience.

A: RM1,000?
B: Don't say it so loudly.

The crowd burst into laughter at the last line.

"This (attitude) is what we need to get rid off," Syamsul Amri said.

Umno has often been accused of being a corrupt organisation.

Former Umno president Dr Mahathir Mohamad in criticising the party yesterday, accused members of taking illicit funds from the current president and Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Mahathir appeared to be referring to the 1MDB scandal, which the US Department of Justice said at least US$3.5 billion was misappropriated from the Malaysian fund and laundered through the US financial system.

Najib has denied any wrongdoing or taking public funds for personal gains.- Mkini