Rais -It's hard to get rid of money politics in UMNO

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 21 (Bernama) -- Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim who is eyeing the post of party vice president, said today that it was difficult to rid Umno of money politics.

Money politics, he said, had become an Umno culture for a long time but not many were willing to admit it.

"It is better if we admit it and the people can then judge us so that they will in the end see this political party is clean.

"I feel that if there is no end to money politics, it's better if Umno were to hold an open tender -- those with the highest bid become leaders," he said.

Rais who is Foreign Minister said, it was not impossible to wipe out money politics but the main obstacle was getting the evidence and Umno did not have sufficient resources to closely monitor the practice.

"The best way probably we can see in our friends from MCA and Gerakan. They do not impose strict conditions (on eligibility to vie for posts) but generally, they are free from all these practices.

"I may be wrong but I believe transparency is the best teacher and we should learn from past experiences especially when the past experience we had gone through tasted bitter," he said.

-- BERNAMA