Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his son Mukhriz were not on the preferred candidates list distributed to delegates who attended last Saturday's Kubang Pasu Umno division meet.

This was confirmed by division secretary Samsuddin Ahmad when contacted today.

While Mahathir failed to make the cut, Mukhriz emerged fifth among 15 candidates who were in the contest, held to elect seven delegates to represent the division at the Umno general assembly in Kuala Lumpur.

Mahathir, who came out ninth, attributed his defeat to money politics and the preferred candidates list.

The former premier said that of the seven numbers on the 'approved list' - 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 11 and 14 - all except No 14 got elected. Mukhriz was No 10 while he was No 1 on the voting list.

Despite conceding that the division's leadership did not favour Mahathir and his son, Samsuddin however said as a democratic institution, they accepted and respected Mukhriz's victory.

He also said there was nothing wrong in issuing a preferred candidates list.

"The preferred candidates list was distributed to delegates on Friday night. We didn't see it as something wrong as it is a normal practice in all Umno contests, including the supreme council elections," he added.

Money politics

As for the allegation of money politics, Samsuddin reiterated division chief Mohd Johari Bahrum's stand, that no such thing had occurred.

However, he conceded that the division had held a meeting with the zone leaders following a briefing for the delegates at a golf club on the night before the elections.

"This is just a normal meeting. I want to stress that our division never gave money to the delegates involved," he said.

The meeting was attended by Johari, former Kedah menteri besar Osman Aroff (right) and Mahathir's former political secretary Saad Man.
During the earlier meeting, delegates were told not to vote for Mahathir in order to avoid a split in Umno.

Previously, certain quarters claimed that the meeting was held to pass delegates RM200 each to prevent them from voting for Mahathir.

However, Samsuddin urged those with evidence to file a report with the division so that a detailed investigation can be carried out.

"We'll investigate it ... but what usually happens is that the losers will create all sorts of stories," he added.

He said the division had advised Mahathir repeatedly to withdraw from the contest as Umno members did not agree with his action.

Although he did not get elected, Samsuddin claimed that the relationship between the former premier and the division was still good.