A lesson or two on what is money politics by Dr Khir Toyo…

There is a vast difference between what is political money and money politics, according to the former Selangor Menteri Besar.

Before anyone accuses him of being involved in political bribery which he, of course, denied, please gather your facts and please do not confuse these two terms - wang politik and politik wang.

Mohd Khir, who is vying for the post of Umno youth chief and who has bagged the second highest number of nominations, says that people should learn to differentiate between “political money” (wang politik) and “money politics” (money politics)

“In politics, we need to spend money for various expenses, especially for logistics."

According to him, in the United States, political parties will ask for political donations from companies and individuals to finance their campaign activities.

“This is not bribery," he said.

"Bribery is when you give in cash or in kind, like promises of datukships or positions, in return for support.”

Dr Khir said this in an interview with the Star in response to allegation that he is involved in money politics – the contender who is said to have spent the most during the divisional meetings.

“That’s total rubbish,” he said.

“When I was mentri besar, I received only my salary and nothing else.

“The Selangor state government dealings during my time were always transparent. I do not believe in money politics or other types of political bribery.

“Please do not insult the delegates’ intelligence. They vote based on ability and leadership qualities, and not because of money.” Read the rest of the interview here.

Umno Youth: It’s a three-cornered fight…

...for now, that is, when the third contender, former Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Khir Toyo, succeeded in obtaining the magic number of 39 (nominations) needed to contest the Umno Youth leadership. (Malaysiakini - Khir makes it a 3-way fight)

MP for Jerlun and Youth exco member Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir is still in the lead with 66 nominations followed by his closest rival, the movement's deputy head, Khairy Jamaluddin, who finally received enough nominations yesterday to contest for the top youth post.

Khairy, the son-in-law of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi, initially considered a favourite among the aspirants, received his 39th and 40th nomination from the Tangga Batu and Gua Musang divisions respectively, surpassing the 39 nominations needed to qualify.

As of yesterday has Khairy has bagged 44 nominations.

Dr Khir , who was still in the running with 12 nominations last week end, picked up his qualifying nomination from the Balik Pulau Umno Youth division in Penang and his 40th nomination from Tanjung Karang division in his home state of Selangor.

The Gua Musang Youth division had previously nominated Dr Khir for the post, but since the meeting was declared null and void, a fresh meeting was called yesterday and Khairy was nominated.

Mukhriz, the son of former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, became the first to qualify just two weeks after the 191 Umno Youth divisions began meeting earlier this month.

Latest on nominations for Umno No 1 and No 2 posts: here
Umno youth: here.

Youth Chief: Mukhriz holds the lead in seven states...

… with 40 nominations, including five in his home base of Kedah. (Malaysiakini read here and here )

By the end of the first weekend round of Umno Youth divisions meetings on Sunday, Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, the MP for Jerlun, had 40 nominations, more than the minimum 38 he needed to contest the Umno Youth post.

Yet just a week ago, Mukhriz was in second or even third place after deputy Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and another contender former Selangor Mentri Besar Dr Khir Toyo. But the trend seems to have changed since.

Khairy, (picture right) the son-in-law who is his closest rival, trails with 19 nominations, still 20 short of the necessary number to become eligible for candidacy. The only state clearly backing him is Kelantan, which has handed him four out of five nominations to date. (Read here - Khairy calon ‘pedigree’ meleset menjadi ‘under dog’?)

Nominations for the deputy Umno Youth chief in his home state of Negeri Sembilan - which is said to be solidly behind him - also went to Mukhriz.

To date, three divisions Rasah, Jelebu and Jempul in the state – have nominated Mukhriz to the post.

The Negri Sembilan results must sting for Khairy, the (in)famous son-in-law of Umno president and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi..

Mukhriz is also leading in Kedah, Terengganu, Sabah, Pahang, Penang and Johor.

However Mukhriz and Khairy received four nominations each from Perak

Khairy, who has a stronger standing in the rural divisions, seems to have a tough time in the urban division meetings where members are more informed and critical.

"In Setiawangsa, there were jeers from the floor when Khairy’s name was proposed and few were surprised when Mukhriz won with 53 votes against 29 for Dr Khir and 7 for Khairy. Khairy had an even tougher time in Johor although he secured three nominations there. In Tenggara, delegates shouted tak mahu! when his name was proposed. In Batu Pahat, he got only three votes compared to 95 for Khir and 186 for Mukhriz. That is the kind of scenario he is facing in some places." – Jocelyn tan – The Star Tuesday October 14, 2008

Despite the setback, however, Khairy is expected to obtain the nominations to contest the Umno polls next March.

Dr Mohd Khir is still in the running with 12 nominations up to now. He may finish third but is expected to make the cut.

Four of his nominations have come from his home state of Selangor, which also gave Mukhriz three nominations and Khairy one.

Dr Mohd Khir has obtained one nomination from Johor, Sabah and Penang respectively.

The fourth hopeful, Zahidi Zainul Abidin, has only one nomination - from his Padang Besar division in Perlis. He is likely to stay in the race to raise his national profile, even if nominations don’t come his way.

Balkis dissolved according to rules...

...says Datin Seri Zaharah Kechik and hopes that with the explanation, no one would make baseless accusations and slanders. Legal action would be taken if they did.

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The wife of former Selangor menteri besar, Datin Seri Zaharah Kechik, said Sunday that the dissolution of the Wives of Selangor Assemblymen and MPs Welfare and Charity Organisation (Balkis) was according to its constitution.

The dissolution took place on March 11 before Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim was sworn-in as Selangor Menteri Besar on March 13, she told a press conference here.

"It means, I was the president at the time and had not relinguished the president's post. Therefore, the question of me not having to power to chair the general meeting called for the purpose Balkis' dissolution does not arise," she said.

According to Bernama . she said Balkis was dissolved with the consent of over two-thirds its ordinary members during the special general meeting which was called by more than one-fifths of its ordinary members.

"The special general meeting and Balkis' dissolution were in line with Article 15(1) and 12 of Balkis Constitution and minutes of the meeting can confirm that all legal provisions have been complied with," she said.

Following the dissolution, Balkis' funds totalling RM9.9 million were transferred to the Wives of Ministers Welfare and Charity Organisation (Bakti) according to Article 15(2) of Balkis Constitution, Zahrah said.

She hoped that with the explanation, no one would make baseless accusations and slanders. Legal action would be taken of they did, she said.

On Saturday, Khalid requested (read here) for Balkis' dissolution to be withdrawn and the RM9.9 million transferred to Bakti to be returned.

Zaharah said that under Article 8 of Balkis constitution, the organisation could receive contributions from the government and government-linked companies.

"When Balkis received a contribution, it became Balkis'. Therefore, the question of the money being channelled out or returned to the government or any government-linked companies does not arise," she said.

Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo, who was present at the press conference said the state government should talk to the legal firm appointed by Balkis, Sallehudin & Co, if it was not satisfied with the issue.

They are trying to politicise the issue and do not read Balkis Constitution orrectly," he said.

He said the RM9.9 million was donated specially for students adopted by Balkis and it was transferred straight to Bakti following Balkis' dissolution and Bakti gave a written reply that it had received the money.

A newspaper report which said the money went to the account of a third party before it was tranferred to Bakti was incorrect, he said.

Meanwhile, senior state executive councillor for Investment, Industry and Commerce Teresa Kok said Zahrah should not dodge the issue pertaining to the transfer of the RM9.9mil from the Balkis account. (Read here)

“Just give back the money and withdraw the application to dissolve Balkis. Yes, Zahrah said to go ahead with legal action but it is going to be bad for her and the most sane thing to do is end the episode by returning the money,” Kok said.

Return cash, Khir's wife told

The Selangor Menteri Besar is offering an olive branch to Datin Seri Zahrah Kecik to help resolve the issue of the missing RM9.9 million.

Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim wants Datin Seri Zahara to give back the RM9.9mil, withdraw the application to dissolve the Wives of Selangor Assemblymen and MPs Welfare and Charity Organisation (Balkis) and the matter is settled.

This, according to Tan Sri Khalid, is the best offer to Datin Seri Zahrah who was the organisation's head when she and the other members decided to transfer the RM9.9 million from its coffers after Barisan Nasional lost the state during the March general election.

The group also decided to dissolve the organisation.

Khalid said his offer was the best solution to resolve the controversy.

“If not, the state will pursue the matter because the people want us to be correct. If there has been misconduct, then justice will take its course,” he told reporters yesterday.

The issue blew up when it was revealed that Balkis, lead by Zahrah, who is the wife of former Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo, transferred RM9.9mil to the Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers (Bakti) three days after the state fell to Pakatan Rakyat. Click here for more

Did Balkis have the right to move out the RM9.9m?

Questions are being asked whether it was correct for the Wives of Selangor Assemblymen and MPs Welfare and Charity Organisation (Balkis) to transfer out the RM9.9mil it had in its coffers a few days after the state fell to the Opposition.

Defending the money transfer, then president Datin Seri Zahrah Kechik(pix. left) said she had the legal right because her husband Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo was still the caretaker Selangor Mentri Besar at that time.

Dr Mohd Khir said the money was “temporarily transferred” to the Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers (Bakti) to ensure the money would be spent according to Balkis' purpose, namely for the welfare of children.

The state government, however, is questioning the transfer of the money and seeking legal advice. It has also asked the Registrar of Societies to put on hold the dissolution of Balkis, which the committee, led by Zahrah, also unanimously decided to do.

The Bar Council is of the opinion that Balkis' action could be tantamount to criminal breach of trust.

Source - The Star

Background: According to The Sun's R Nadeswaran and Terence Fernandez, Zaharah convened an extraordinary general meeting on March 11 (three days after the general election), of the committee "to dissolve Balkis and close its bank accounts. "

The following day, the accounts were closed, with the money transferred to another account and then to Bakti – the federal Organisation of Wives of Ministers which Balkis is affiliated to.

Khairy the best candidate for Youth chief post?

“... he is the best candidate to replace Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein as the movement's leader..."

No, I didn’t say that. You gotta be kidding. Someone else did. He is Negri Sembilan Youth chief Datuk Jamlus Aziz.

Remember what Khairy Jamaluddin, the son-in-law, said about contesting for the number one Youth post at the party’s polls in December?

He’s waiting for feedback, he said, and whatever it is”we must elect the best leaders who can continue to effectively lead Umno.”

Ahaa. I knew it. I knew that statement he made was meant for him and for his “men” to respond. Now we have two of them – apple polishers - who think Khairy is the best candidate for the post.

Datuk Jamlus said that Khairy was the best candidate to replace Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein as the movement's leader.

"We will lose out if Khairy is not elected as the Youth chief as he has been groomed to lead the movement. Other than his loyalty to the party, Khairy is also a capable leader," he was quoted as saying to Bernama.

Perak Umno Youth chief Zainol Padzi Paharudin parrot-ed Jamlus: that Khairy was the best candidate to lead the movement as he had shown the leadership traits in his present capacity.

Zainol Padzi said Khairy had proven that he was a leader of calibre, and an effective and loyal deputy to Hishammuddin.

"It will be a waste of his talents if it is not nurtured and polished," he said in a statement yesterday.

Zainol Padzi said Khairy had proven his capability and leadership ability when he led the Umno election machinery in several by-elections, put his skills to good use in thwarting criticisms and did not cow under pressure.

As Khairy had cultivated rapport with Umno Youth divisions, Zainol Padri said the Umno Youth vice-chief would be able to forge closer relationship with the grassroots.

"Khairy is courageous and ferocious in defending the New Economic Policy and Malay rights in line with Umno Youth principles and struggles," said Zainol Padzi.

So far only Dr Mohamad Khir and Jerlun MP Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir had announced that they would go for the Umno Youth chief post.

In meantime, former Selangor Menteri besar said he had no objection to Khairy vying for the top post.

"Umno is a democratic party. We can offer ourselves for the post, it's up to members to choose whom they feel should be given the mandate to rehabilitate the party," Dr Mohamad Khir told a press conference here yesterday.

On calls that he should give close attention to Selangor politics rather than contesting the post, Dr Mohamad Khir said the new Selangor Umno liaison committee chairman Tan Sri Muhammad Muhamad Taib was entrusted with the responsibility, although he would continue to assist him.

Dr Mohamad Khir said he felt that his experience would put him in good stead to bring the youths closer to the top leadership as there was a big gap between them.

He said more dialogues with the youths should be held to enable them to voice their pent-up feelings.

Dr Mohd Khir, who is blogger now and whose blog has touched more than 180,000 hits since starting on March 28, said most of them wanted Umno to listen to what they have to say with an open heart.

Bernama has the story here.