November 04, 2009 19:57 PM
Do Not Go Overboard When Campaigning For Posts - Ismail Sabri
SHAH ALAM, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- Candidates vying for top posts in the Angkatan Koperasi Kebangsaan Malaysia Bhd (Angkasa) should refrain from going overboard when campaigning, as it may disrupt unity, said Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
"When contesting for top posts, there must be campaigning but it should not go overboard and cause friction among members.
"I also want to warn them against retorting to money politics when seeking for votes," he told reporters after launching a seminar on Cooperative Laws and Dialogue with the Minister, here Wednesday.
The Angkasa Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) on Dec 19, will see a contest for the posts of president, deputy president and three vice presidents.
Angkasa, founded in 1971, has about 5,000 affiliated cooperatives with about 6 million members and assets totalling RM47 billion.
Royal Professor Ungku Aziz Ungku Abdul Hamid, the founder of Angkasa and who helmed it for more than 30 years, resigned on Jan 7 this year, forcing a scramble for the top post.
Ismail Sabri said though no special committee has been formed to oversee the election process, he might decide to form one, based on the situation and requirement.
He added that action had been taken against nine cooperatives involved in get-rich-quick schemes and their bank accounts freezed, he said.
The authorities are waiting to charge the cooperatives involved, which have about 20,000 members, he said.
--BERNAMA
