Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi consolidated his 11-month leadership at the just-concluded congress of Malaysia's ruling party, with a new team in place and former premier-in-waiting Anwar Ibrahim exiled to the opposition wilderness.
But allegations of vote-buying after surprising results in triennial top-level elections tarnished the annual convention of the United Malays National Organization (UMNO), and given Anwar an avenue to make a comeback on a campaign of democratic reforms, observers say.
Abdullah was officially endorsed as UMNO president at the congress after taking over from Mahathir Mohamad who retired last October. He issued a strong warning to the party's 3.2 million members to shun "money politics" or risk losing political dominance.
"UMNO is our political strength. We must avoid any problems that can weaken UMNO. All these things, such as money politics, cannot be allowed to happen. Let Malays live with dignity," he said late Saturday in wrapping up the three-day congress.
UMNO heads the multiracial ruling coalition which has been in power since independence from Britain in 1957.
Claims of vote buying emerged after unexpected results for three UMNO vice-president posts and the defeat of some ministers in the Supreme Council, the top policy-making body.
The three vice-presidents, who form the next rank in the succession line-up after the president and deputy president, included Federal Territories Minister Isa Abdul Samad. He was considered a rank outsider but pulled off a major surprise to garner the highest number of votes.
The New Sunday Times, in a commentary, said "Christmas came early for some delegates" with some claiming to receive up to 1,000 ringgit (US$263) in envelopes slipped under their hotel room doors. It was not clear who they were encouraged to vote for.
Abdullah said he was concerned but UMNO cannot take action without any evidence. He pledged to tighten rules on money and contests for top party posts, and to remove any victors found guilty of wrongdoing.
Anwar, freed earlier this month after six years in jail on a charge of corruption, warned Saturday that Abdullah's anti-corruption drive may be undermined because "a lot of ministers surrounding him are involved in serious corruption."
In an interview with CNN Talk Asia from Germany where he is recovering from spinal surgery, he said he looked forward to a meeting with Abdullah and "a more civil relationship in politics."
"Probably, he should be given some time and the necessary support," Anwar said. "But he must be encouraged to move on."
Anwar was heir-apparent to then-premier Mahathir before being sacked in Sept. 1998 and later sentenced to a total of 15 years in jail on charges which he says were trumped up to prevent him challenging Mahathir for the premiership.
As a convicted criminal, Anwar is not allowed to stand for any elected or party post until 2008.
At the congress, UMNO leaders from Abdullah down labelled Anwar as a "traitor" to the Malay cause -- ruling out any return to the only party that could allow him to lead the country.
The Sunday Star said the congress formally completed the succession process and marked a new era in Malay politics after 22 long years under Mahathir.
Abdullah and his deputy Najib Razak, who is 15 years his junior, were uncontested as UMNO president and deputy president. The top two posts in the youth, women and "princess" wings were also unopposed in a move many saw as a show of unity and compromise.
"While the party polls may have been somewhat controversial, it has also laid the ground for renewal and change in the party," the newspaper said.
Among the new faces were Abdullah's son-in-law Khairy Jamaluddin, who won unopposed as deputy youth chief, and Mahathir's youngest son Mukhriz who made it to the the youth executive council with the highest vote.
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