KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: Prosecutors charged a top ruling party official with bribery Friday, sending shock waves through Malaysia’s political ranks ahead of party elections that many fear will be marred by corruption.
Norza Zakaria, a member of the United Malays National Organization party’s policy-making Supreme Council, is the highest-ranking party official ever to face political graft charges. He is accused of bribing others to help him defend his post in party elections scheduled for later this month.
The party posts are hugely coveted because they are considered a springboard to lucrative business contracts and for appointments in the Cabinet and government organizations.
Norza, 43, pleaded innocent in a Magistrate’s Court to two charges of giving bribes totaling 3,400 ringgit ($920) to two party members on Jan. 20. The court released him on bail and scheduled a preliminary hearing for April 22.
Corruption convictions in Malaysia typically carry a prison sentence of up to 20 years. It was not immediately clear whether Norza would still be able to contest the March 24-28 elections to choose dozens of top party office-bearers.
The charge comes amid reports of a separate investigation by Malaysia’s newly revamped anti-graft watchdog into bribery allegations that have been linked to a prominent minister who is also defending a Supreme Council seat.
For years, some members have alleged that candidates pay massive sums to voters or fete them at elaborate feasts to secure support.
In past years, the accusations rarely led to court prosecution. But the ruling party has pledged to curtail corruption in a bid to revive public support after a disastrous performance in general elections last month.
Nevertheless, opposition leaders say graft remains rife in the government and that those targeted by corruption probes appear to be victims of internal power struggles.
Norza is considered an ally of outgoing Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is slated to hand power to Najib Razak, the current deputy premier, soon after the party elections.
A survey released this week by the independent Merdeka Center research firm found 61 percent of 1,031 Malaysians polled see corruption as the most serious problem for the ruling party. The telephone survey’s margin of error was 3.1 percent.
International Herald Tribune
14/03/09
Norza Zakaria, a member of the United Malays National Organization party’s policy-making Supreme Council, is the highest-ranking party official ever to face political graft charges. He is accused of bribing others to help him defend his post in party elections scheduled for later this month.
The party posts are hugely coveted because they are considered a springboard to lucrative business contracts and for appointments in the Cabinet and government organizations.
Norza, 43, pleaded innocent in a Magistrate’s Court to two charges of giving bribes totaling 3,400 ringgit ($920) to two party members on Jan. 20. The court released him on bail and scheduled a preliminary hearing for April 22.
Corruption convictions in Malaysia typically carry a prison sentence of up to 20 years. It was not immediately clear whether Norza would still be able to contest the March 24-28 elections to choose dozens of top party office-bearers.
The charge comes amid reports of a separate investigation by Malaysia’s newly revamped anti-graft watchdog into bribery allegations that have been linked to a prominent minister who is also defending a Supreme Council seat.
For years, some members have alleged that candidates pay massive sums to voters or fete them at elaborate feasts to secure support.
In past years, the accusations rarely led to court prosecution. But the ruling party has pledged to curtail corruption in a bid to revive public support after a disastrous performance in general elections last month.
Nevertheless, opposition leaders say graft remains rife in the government and that those targeted by corruption probes appear to be victims of internal power struggles.
Norza is considered an ally of outgoing Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is slated to hand power to Najib Razak, the current deputy premier, soon after the party elections.
A survey released this week by the independent Merdeka Center research firm found 61 percent of 1,031 Malaysians polled see corruption as the most serious problem for the ruling party. The telephone survey’s margin of error was 3.1 percent.
International Herald Tribune
14/03/09
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