Thursday August 21, 2008 MYT 1:23:17 PM

Umno gets 226 complaints

By JANE RITIKOS

KUALA LUMPUR: The Umno disciplinary board has received 226 complaints, including on money politics, since the party's branch meetings were held from July 17 to Wednesday, with 33 of them referred to the investigation panel.

The board's chairman Tengku Tan Sri Rithaudeen Ismail said the 33 cases were referred for further investigation, while 13 cases needed more proof and 49 were categorised as "no further action".

"However, up till the time this statement is released, we are still receiving complaints of members violating the party's code of ethics," he said in a statement Thursday.

He added that he was informed of rampant complaints of money politics and other violations of the code but he rebutted reports in the media that the board was not proactive in taking action.

"I would like to say here that I just underwent an operation and have just gone home to rest three days ago," he said in the statement. He said a senior board member had been and was studying the complaints on his behalf and that since early July investigations had been carried out by the investigations panel which comprises the board members.

Explaining the process of investigation on complaints, Tengku Rithaudeen stressed that each complaint received must be thoroughly scrutinised before any further action is taken.

"On the investigation level, all aspects and techniques such as interviews with the complainant and witnesses, oral and verbal statements and supporting statements will be analysed in total to ensure the authenticity of the complaint.

"This is also to prevent slander or any attempt by contesting candidates to use the board as a platform to win the election on technicalities," he said, adding that like the Anti-Corruption Agency and the police, the board also had proper investigation processes.

That is why it takes time to complete investigations and complaints are referred to the board's tribunal once there is a prima facie case.

At the tribunal level, the main complainants would be called up to support their statements while the accused would be given ample opportunity to defend themselves.

To speed up the investigation time, Tengku Rithaudeen appealed to Umno members lodging complaints to provide complete details and proof and address them to him at the Umno headquarters at the 38th Floor, Menara Dato' Onn in Jalan Tun Ismail.