Ali Rustam barred from contesting for UMNO deputy presidency

Umno deputy president aspirant Mohd Ali Rustam has been barred from contesting in the upcoming party polls. The decision was revealed by the party’s disciplinary committee chairperson Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen Tengku Ismail at a special press conference at the Umno headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

Ahmad Rithauddeen said Mohd Ali was disqualified from running for the post after three of his aides were found guilty of vote-buying.

“It is presumption of guilt, as the principle is that he is liable for the wrongdoing of his agents,” the disciplinary head told a press conference. [See chart below]

The committee also issued a stern warning to Khairy Jamaluddin, who is standing for Umno Youth chief.

It, however, cleared another candidate, former Selangor menteri besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo, of any wrongdoing.

In view of Mohd Ali being barred, the contest for the No. 2 slot will see a straight fight between favourite International Trade and Industry Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and Rural Development Minister Muhammad Muhd Taib.

 According to Ahmad Rithauddeen, action was taken against Mohd Ali after he was found liable for the acts of his agent.

He said that Mohd Ali’s political secretary Saadun Basirun was found guilty of being involved in money politics to buy votes.

No other details were revealed and Saadun was suspended from the party for three years.

As for Khairy, he was also found liable for his agent’s misbehaviour.

However since his agent’s offence was lesser in gravity than Saadun, Khairy was let off with just a warning.

Khir meanwhile was investigated for alleged money politics but he was cleared on any wrongdoing by the committee, said Ahmad Rithauddeen. 

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EDITORS’ NOTE: Khairy should start planning for life after retirement from politics. The knives are out for him. Will the disciplinary committed dare to haul him up if his father-in-law is still firmly in control of the party? He will probably lose the elections for the UMNO Youth post and the death knell will finally sound for him when Najib take over.