THERE is really no need for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) or any other investigative bodies to investigate acts of corruption or any wrongdoings because all that is needed are simply internal conflicts within political parties for such matters to come to light.
The recent ouster of Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman from the UMNO Supreme Council is a case in point.
Tajuddin was made the ambassador to Indonesia without UMNO’s consent, particularly that of its president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. This was why he was removed as a Supreme Council member as soon as he was appointed as ambassador.
Of course, there is also the fact that he shares a close relationship with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Some UMNO leaders have become incensed that Ismail Sabri is dragging his feet in calling for an early general election with Ismail Sabri citing food shortage, inflation and other reasons as to why an early election could not be held.
Some UMNO leaders including Zahid are anxious that GE15 should be held before the courts could decide on their corruption cases – perhaps this is the same concern for former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
The UMNO “Court Cluster” also believes that the sooner the election is held the better chances for Barisan Nasional (BN) to return to federal power.
Tajuddin after his removal from UMNO’s Supreme Council held a press conference to expose Zahid’s misdeeds.
He alleged that he was the signatory of the statutory declaration (SD) that Zahid had devised to make Anwar the next prime minister.
Tajuddin claimed that he was against it and that he was forced to sign the document because of Zahid’s “sour face” and subsequently the SDs from others were sent to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Before Tajuddin’s exposé the support that UMNO MPs had given to opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was nothing but rumours and speculations but the exposé has confirmed it.
Perhaps Tajuddin’s exposé is the first in the order of things to come but knowing Tajuddin it is difficult to predict what else he has up his sleeves on UMNO’s sordid state of affairs.
As it is, even Zahid is determined to leak information about others who were involved in the Ultra Kirana Sdn Bhd (UKSB) corruption-driven donations.
In other words, the information that was leaked regarding other politicians’ involvement might not have escaped Zahid’s notice as even if he goes down under the weight of UKSB’s corruption charges he is determined to drag others down as well.
Tajuddin might expose some of the present UMNO leadership’s political misdeeds including that of its president but make no mistake, he is no saint either as there have been allegations of serious corruption made against him in the past.
Other than that, he is noted for his foul mouth and extreme sexism.
It is important to point out that it was not only UMNO leaders who were against his appointment as the ambassador to Indonesia – there were in fact many others who opposed his appointment as well.
Unfortunately, Ismail Sabri had gone and appointed him as ambassador not out of his great love for Tajuddin but because such a move could split UMNO to a certain degree, thus enabling him to hold on to power.
It is unclear at this juncture whether Tajuddin would be bold enough to expose the misdeeds of UMNO leaders he despises.
It is not that Zahid has no ammunition against Tajuddin; it would depend on what Tajuddin intends to expose after this.
Exposes and counter-exposes add an interesting dimension to Malaysian politics, with conflicts within political parties or between individuals having the potential to bring out anything that was once hidden from public knowledge.
Such information might be beneficial to the public as it reveals the character and reputation of politicians in the country. – June 29, 2022
Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is the state assemblyperson for Perai. He is also deputy chief minister II of Penang.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
