A PAS leader who lodged a report to the Anti-Corruption Agency against Umno leader Syed Hamid Albar two days ago denies having any intention to interfere into Umno affairs.

Kota Tinggi PAS chief Kamaldin Jaafar said he merely acted based on documents he received in his letter box from some members of the Kota Tinggi Umno division accusing their leader Syed Hamid of money politics.

syed hamid albar exclusive interview larger pix 231008 02Kamaldin was slammed by Syed Hamid in the press for lodging the report.

The home minister described Kamaldin's action as interference in Umno affairs. Syed Hamid, a Umno supreme council member, is vying for the party's vice-presidency in the March party polls.

On the documents, Kamaldin said there were seven statutory declarations by Kota Tinggi Umno members that were strong evidence forming the basis of the ACA report.

"The statutory declarations alleged that money politics took place a few months before the Umno division meetings which are currently underway", Kamaldin said.

He however refused to divulge the names of the complainants on the grounds that it has become an ACA case and also to avoid being in the way of their investigation.

'They will not trap us'

Kamaldin refuted suggestions that Umno members were trying to 'trap' PAS by sending the documents to him rather than the Umno leaders themselves.

"I do not think so. There are hundreds of Umno members in Kota Tinggi division and this is their stronghold. Besides, I have a good relationship with many of Umno members," he said.

Asked why he was adamant in lodging the report to the ACA based on the documents he received, Kamaldin revealed that he had heard of "money politics lingering in the division for some time now".

"The Umno members told me that some of them were given about RM100 to RM150 in order to get votes, but we did not go into details and I took that as a rumour.

"But the statutory declarations I received strengthen my belief that money politics did take place in this Umno division. That is why I lodged the report in the first place," he added.

Syed Hamid said he was willing to co-operate with the ACA if he were to be investigated.

The Umno vice-presidential hopeful was quoted in the Star as saying today that if Umno members were not satisfied with anything, they should bring it up with Umno leaders.

Syed Hamid has bagged 28 nominations so far including a nomination from his division Kota Tinggi, surpassing the 20 minimum nominations required to contest for the vice-president's post in the party polls next March.