MELAKA CHIEF MINISTER CAN`T CONTEST UMNO DEPUTY PRESIDENCY

KUALA LUMPUR, March 17 (Bernama) -- Melaka Chief Minister Mohd
Ali Rustam has been found guilty of violating party ethics for indulging in
money politics and is prohibited from contesting the post of United Malays
National Organization (UMNO) deputy president.

UMNO is a right-wing party and Malaysia's largest political party; a
founding member of the National Front (Barisan Nasional - BN) coalition, which
has been Malaysia's ruling political party since independence.

The Umno Disciplinary Board found that Mohd Ali, a candidate for the Umno
deputy presidency, had committed the offence under Article 10.1 of the Umno
membership ethics.

This was announced by Umno Disciplinary Board chairman Tengku Ahmad
Rithauddeen Tengku Ismail at a media conference, here Tuesday.

The Disciplinary Board also found Khairy Jamaluddin, a candidate in the
contest for the Umno Youth head, guilty of breaching Article 10.1 of the Umno
membership ethics but was only given a warning.

The Board, however, did not find Mohamad Khir Toyo, also a
candidate for the post of Umno Youth head, not guilty of breaching party
membership ethics.

The much-anticipated UMNO elections, which will take place on
March 25-26, with a total of 269 candidates are vying for posts at the Supreme
Council level as well as posts at the party's three wings.

-- BERNAMA