Published March 13, 2009

High-level bribery probe jolts Malaysia ruling party

	Email this article
	Print article
	Feedback

(KUALA LUMPUR) The ruling party was rocked yesterday by a high-level investigation involving bribery allegations and a prominent minister preparing to run in a party election that will shape Malaysia's next administration.

In a vaguely worded statement yesterday, the Tourism Ministry said that 'some of its personnel have been asked to provide statements' to assist the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission in its investigations.

It denied that any offence has occurred, but said that the ministry will 'extend its cooperation in all investigations', including a probe into misuse of ministry funds.

The New Straits Times daily reported last week that 11 people have been questioned. Among them is Tourism Minister Azalina Othman Said's political secretary, who was allegedly found with RM70,000 (S$29,000) cash - purportedly ministry funds - in his car, it said.

The probe puts Ms Azalina in the spotlight as she prepares to contest a post in the ruling party's powerful Supreme Council during the March 24-28 elections. The Supreme Council makes all major party decisions.

The investigation has revived complaints that elections to the top posts in the ruling United Malays National Organisation party are usually tainted by bribery, with contestants paying huge sums of money to delegates to win votes.

The anti-corruption commission has not commented on the case.

The opposition dismissed the probe as the result of a power struggle in the ruling party.

The probe is simply 'a tool for the ruling clique to engage in their own games and power struggle', said Tian Chua of the opposition People's Justice Party.

The Umno elections will choose top officer bearers, who hold important positions in the government. Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak is contesting the post of party president unopposed. - AP