EVENTS which saw Datuk Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (BN-Pasir Salak) being suspended from Umno back in the 1990s was the basis of a tense exchange between him and opposition members yesterday.

It culminated with Tajuddin challenging Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak) to repeat his allegations outside the Dewan Rakyat. Members of the Dewan Rakyat enjoyed immunity inside the House.

Tajuddin triggered the exchange when he asked Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi (BN-Batu Pahat), who was speaking on corruption, to expose an opposition leader who was corrupt.

"He used to hold a high position in the government and was corrupt while in government," Tajuddin said, adding that the leader was now a bigwig in the Pakatan Rakyat.

However, Puad refused to name the person although everyone in the chamber knew he was referring to PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who was the then deputy prime minister.
Annoyed by the insinuations about his leader, Mohamed Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak) stood up and declared that Anwar was one of the leaders who wanted the Anti-Corruption Agency to have more bite and had worked to amend the laws to provide for this.

He said Anwar was nothing like an Umno division chief who had spent RM6 million to get elected to his post.

"He (the Umno leader) was prepared to spend RM6 million to become a division chief," he said without naming anyone.

But again, those in the chamber knew that it was Tajuddin that he was referring to.

Tajuddin shot back: "I have been waiting for this moment. I am ready to tell my side of the story. I was maligned by Anwar who wanted to become the prime minister and conspired with the menteri besar. I was victimised."

Following the 1993 party elections, Tajuddin was accused of buying votes to win the division chief position. It was said at that time that he had spent RM6 million to ensure a victory.

The party suspended Tajuddin and for some time, his career was in limbo. However, the Umno leadership subsequently rehabilitated him and he went on to contest the Kampung Gajah state seat in Perak, in the 2004 general election.

Yesterday, Tajuddin said he would give Azmin 24 hours to repeat his allegations outside the House. "I don't need to take up the challenge. It has nothing to do with me or Anwar," said Azmin.