KUALA LUMPUR - ANTI-GRAFT authorities charged a Malaysian ruling party official with bribery on Tuesday in a crackdown on corruption ahead of elections for senior party posts, the national news agency reported.

Prosecutors representing the government's Anti-Corruption Agency charged Mohamad Nor Awang with allegedly giving cash totaling 700 ringgit (S$292) to two other officials last month to nominate him for a higher post, Bernama reported.

Mohamad Nor is the deputy leader of a southern district branch of the ruling United Malays National Organisation.

Party leaders and low-ranking members alike have increasingly complained about candidates running for key party positions in the polls who pay cash to other members or fete them at elaborate feasts to secure their support.

Some of the posts up for grabs in the elections due later this year are considered a springboard for appointments in the Cabinet and government organisations.

Mohamad Nor pleaded innocent to the charge at a court in southern Seremban town on Tuesday, and his trial was scheduled for January, Bernama reported. He faces a maximum 20 years in prison and a fine if convicted.

The Anti-Corruption Agency said last week it was investigating several instances of alleged bribery during recent United Malays National Organisation meetings to prepare for the party elections, scheduled to run between October and December.

Agency representatives familiar with the investigation could not immediately be reached for comment.

The Anti-Corruption Agency has made several high-profile arrests in recent weeks following public complaints that Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has failed to fulfill his repeated pledges to stamp out graft.

Prominent figures implicated include the former immigration director, who was charged with accepting a bribe to speed up visas for Bangladeshi migrant workers. -- AP