Umno is preparing to nab party 'big guns' suspected to have been involved in money politics, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad today.

"Beware, we've got eyes and ears everywhere. Don't be caught by surprise. Just wait," Radzi warned.

The Umno secretary-general said that a number of cases involving practices of bribery during the party's divisional and branch elections in June had already been forwarded to the Umno Disciplinary Board.

However Radzi kept mum on the identity and positions of the individuals in question only saying that the situation 'was very serious' and that they were 'the big guns' in the party.

Radzi was speaking to reporters today after human rights group Suaram presented their recommendations to the Special Select Committee to Peruse the Penal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code, of which he heads as chairperson.

Slap on the wrist

His suggestion today of imminent disciplinary action comes barely a week after four Umno leaders, including a deputy minister, were found guilty by the board of being involved in money politics.

Deputy Minister of Education Mahadzir Mohd Khir, Umno Padang Besar division head Zahidi Abidin, Bandar Tun Razak division head Amir Salleh and Azmi Dollah from Kota Bharu Umno were all reprimanded with a stern warning.

However, only one of them, Amir Salleh, had his membership suspended for a period of three years, while the others were given a slap on the wrist.

Radzi said the apparent seniority of the persons suspected of money politics will not affect the decision of the board.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Najib Tun Razak are taking a very strong stand on the issue and will be impartial in their efforts to cleanse the party of the scourge, Radzi said.

"In this issue, we don't care about positions. We don't protect anyone."