“We’ll Be Damned If we Do,

Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia:

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA;

 “Damned If We Do And Damned If We Don’t..”

   The United Malay National Organization’s [UMNO], Disciplinary Board, which is responsible for maintaining discipline of the Party, had this week deliberated on several cases of reported wrong-doings in the party. Such cases increased greatly in the run-up to the party poll which will be held sometimes late this month.

The intention to clean-up the party [UMNO} is now getting more serious and more visible. It is also getting more attention both from its members and its sympathizers. The lackluster effort to clean-up the party in the past has resulted in the voters turning its back on UMNO in the last election. Thus, among the resolutions reached at during the several brainstorming session directly after the election last year was to thoroughly clean-up the party and free it from money-politics.

The most controversial decision reached at thus far is the order to bar one of the candidates vying for the Post of Deputy President from contesting. So now, for that particular post it’s a straight fight.

Ali Rustam, who is the Chief Minister of the State Of Malacca, was found guilty of dabbling in corrupt Practices. It was committed during the campaigning period earlier this year.

Another aspiring candidate, also found guilty of the so-called corrupt practices but was meted a lesser sentence in the form of a written warning, was Khairy Jamaludin. Khairy Jamaludin is also the son-in-law of Abdullah Badawi, the Prime Minister. He is offering himself for the post of Youth Chief.

Several other members were given warning or had their party membership suspended.

The difference in actions taken against them presumably for a similar offence made tongues wagging in the city. There are talks of biased decisions, unfairness and bowing to certain leaders. Some say it is a no-win situation.

“It’s a case of damned if we do and damned if we don’t,” said Ahmad Rithaudin.

During their press conference, members of the panel explained that there are facts that must be taken into account before handing out the punishment. An example is that the facts mentioned may not be strong enough to warrant a ban from contesting. Thus, they felt that a written warning is enough. The sentence should be above all just and equitable.