Avoid money politics: Mahathir

Avoid money politics: Mahathir

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Tuesday warned candidates in May's ruling party elections against offering bribes.

Mahathir, who is also the president of the United Malays National Organization (UMNO), said potential candidates should observe ethical standards when wooing support.

Campaigners should not be too obsessed with securing positions for their candidates at the expense of party unity, he said.

Up for grabs in the May 11 party elections are three vice- president posts and 35 positions on the UMNO Supreme Council.

The powerful council unanimously agreed on Monday to renominate Mahathir, 74, as party president in May and to nominate Deputy Premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as deputy president, with both posts to be uncontested.