Umno division chief: I was set up, I am not a druggie

Bandar Tun Razak Umno division head Rizalman Mokhtar has admitted that he was detained by the police at an entertainment outlet on Monday morning but denied using illicit drugs.

He also claimed that the incident was a set up to spoil his chances of being BN's candidate for the Bandar Tun Razak parliamentary seat.

"I admit that I was the individual mentioned (in the news report)," he said.

"If the (chemistry) report was indeed true, that my urine was tested positive (for drug use), then it is a trap to destroy my good name," he said.

Rizalman said he and his entourage appear to be the only target by the authorities during the raid.

"How was the operation conducted? It was very specific to our room. I was brought straight away to the Dang Wangi district police headquarters.

"They never went to any other rooms," he said told a press conference today.

He also expressed puzzlement as to why the MACC was part of the police operation.

Despite being pressed several times to speculate as to who was after him, Rizalman refused.

"You cannot ask me this kind of question. It is very unfair for me to answer because in politics we have all sorts of enemies who come from every angle," he said.

He, however, declined to rule out the possibility of being sabotaged by MCA.

MCA had contested the Bandar Tun Razak parliamentary seat over five general elections and Rizalman had last year demanded the seat to be given to Umno.

Rizalman was accompanied by his father Mokhtar Samaad and wife Syazlina Bahardin as well as some 50 supporters at the press conference.

Media reports claimed that Rizalman and ten others were picked up at the entertainment outlet during a police raid on April 2. It was reported he was tested positive for banned substances methamphetamine and amphetamine.

Following this, Deputy Prime Minister and BN deputy chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he would discuss the matter with party president and Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Zahid also said the incident should not have happened as it would undoubtedly be exploited for the coming general election.

"I respect the view of the party deputy president, it was a good opinion. Of course, they feel disappointed and sad about what happened. They have room to discuss it.

"As an Umno member, I am ready to take whatever possibility (that falls upon me)," said Rizalman.

He also claimed that he will attempt to clear his name via legal channels.

If that could be done, he said, he was still interested to be fielded as Bandar Tun Razak's Umno candidate in the coming polls.

"Yes, I am very keen and I am very interested. I have been working for it for the last 14 years. So, don't (reject me) over this petty issue and (forget) about my contributions and good deeds over the last 14 years," he said.

He said he will only quit all Umno posts if the courts find him guilty of any offence. -Mkini