MCA susceptible to graft, says leader

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/articles/6ssmca2/Article/index_html

2009/11/27

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has been urged to "keep an eye" on MCA as the recent leadership crisis and subsequent turn of events in the party could encourage political bribery and other corrupt practices.

MCA central committee member Datuk Ti Lian Ker said recent events had made the party vulnerable to infiltration by those with vested interests and external forces.

"Corruption and other similar practices will rear their head in many forms and faces, and the compromise by party leaders to kow tow to politico businessmen and the forces that may be is inevitable," he said.

Ti said leaders with lesser integrity would sell themselves short and compromise their position in the event of a political tussle, where their political survival was at stake and temptation of assuming more power was irresistible.

"I am deeply concerned and call upon the commission to exercise their vigilance, authority and intelligence to stamp out any potential corrupt practices, not only in Umno, but also in all component parties in line with the people's aspirations today."

He said the image of BN had improved tremendously with the high-profile no-nonsense actions taken against leaders and non-tolerance of corrupt practices.

Ti alleged that some delegates had been promised between RM500 and RM1,000 in pocket money, given accommodations, sumptuous dinners, taken to Genting Highlands and offered vacations.