Former information minister Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir confirmed he did make vote buying allegations in recent interviews but said it did not apply to his former constituency of Kulim-Bandar Baru.

Upset at his statements, a group of Kulim-Bandar Baru Umno branch leaders had requested him to sue The Malaysian Insider for publishing his statement.

Mat Saad Osman, who claimed to be a spokesperson of this group,had said they met Abdul Kadir on Feb 19 and he denied saying that.

He was quoted saying that the alternative was for Abdul Kadir to make a public apology to the voters in the constituency.

Abdul Kadir said today at a press conference that a delegation of Umno members from his former constituency did visit him, and he acknowledged making the allegations and had given them copies of his press statements and interview videos.

However, he clarified that he was not referring to Kulim-Bandar Baharu, but in election and by-election campaigns where he was present.

"I never said that. How could I say that about such wonderful people?" he said of the constituency where he was an MP for 30 years.

He alleged that there had been vote buying since about 40 years ago, but declined to dwell into details, saying that the past was in the past and it was a lesson to be learnt.

"Maybe back then we have overlooked it. But now, it must not be repeated," he said.

Abdul Kadir, who is the current deputy president of the NGO Angkatan Amanah Merdeka (Amanah), said a press conference had been held by Umno branch leaders in the constituency to condemn Mat Saad's statement.

"Now everyone is angry and looking for him." he said.

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