BANTING, Sept 24 - Umno is showing the world that its members have not learnt their lesson by continuing to insist on nominating Tan Sri Isa Samad to stand in the upcoming Bagan Pinang by-election, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today.
The former prime minister has been a vocal critic of the nomination of the former Negri Sembilan mentri besar who was punished with a three-year suspension after the party’s disciplinary board found him guilty of vote buying during the Umno elections in 2004.
“We haven’t learnt much, the last time we put a candidate who was a liar, who was barred by the bar council, who used his clients money. If we put a candidate like that, surely we will lose, “ Dr Mahathir said.
Dr Mahathir was speaking in reference to the Permatang Pasir by-election where disbarred lawyer Rohaizat Othman lost to PAS's Mohd Salleh Man by 4,551 votes.
The former premier also lashed out at Umno leaders in Teluk Kemang who pointed out that he (Dr Mahathir), too, was expelled from Umno by Tunku Abdul Rahman but was later allowed to return to the party.
“I was expelled not because of corruption or money politics but because of differences of opinion with him. When I came back, it was because my view was acceptable, I never stole money," Dr Mahathir retorted.
Umno would win the election because it was a stronghold, he said, but having a candidate who is found to have been involved in corruption does not speak well for Umno and Barisan National (BN).
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