Kadir Says Recent Money Politics Worst In Umno - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 28 (Bernama) -- Judging by his outburst Tuesday, the fume in Datuk Paduka Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir, who lost his Umno supreme council seat in last week's party election, has not simmered down.

Monday he broke his silence, saying that he was surprised to have been defeated despite receiving favourable number of nominations. On Tuesday, he came with a stronger statement.

The Sept 23 election was smeared with the worst case of money politics in the 34 years he had held national-level positions in the party, he said.

The Information Minister revealed that for the first time in all these years, he was persuaded by certain people (in the just-concluded election) to pay for votes.

"But I said no...I am orang lama (veteran). I couldn't do that."

"I have been with the party virtually for my entire life. I cannot destroy the party," Abdul Kadir told reporters after a luncheon he hosted for foreign correspondents at the Mutiara Hotel here.

In fact, he said, his own supporters warned him that it would be difficult for him to defend his supreme council post if money was not splashed.

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