STRIPPED naked and choked.

That is what an Umno member is claiming happened to him while he was being questioned by anti-corruption officials over money politics charges.

Mr Halimi Kamaruzzaman, a Maran division Umno committee member, made a police report at the Damansara police station on Wednesday.

The 46-year-old alleges he was assaulted by officers from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) during his four-day remand in Kuantan late last month.

In his report, he said three officers punched him in the head, stomach and shoulder, reported Malaysiakini.

Mr Halimi added: 'I was also forced to strip naked, lie, and roll on the floor.

'They threatened me, saying that my wife would also be arrested and be asked to strip if I did not agree to make a confession that I handed money to Umno members.'

He said the beatings were so bad, he almost fainted.

MACC is reportedly investigating MrHalimi for corruption charges connected with an Umno exco member, reported Berita Harian.

Umno Youth chief Datuk seri Hishammuddin Hussein has said the accusations are a serious matter as it is the first time something like this has happened in the history of Umno.

He told Berita Harian: 'We will investigate. Even anti-corruption officers are not above the law.'

Other Umno leaders also said Mr Halimi's report would be treated seriously.

On Thursday, about 50 Umno members held a protest at Menara Dato Onn in Kuala Lumpur to object to Mr Halimi's treatment by the MACC.

Ms Sutinah Sutan, director of the Pahang state MACC division, has denied that the officers had used violence in their investigation.

'These are false allegations. The officers had followed procedure,' she said in a statement to reporters.

An MACC spokesman also added that a special committee made of non-MACC members, would be set up to investigate this case.

He said: 'The investigation will be carried out professionally and fairly.'

Mr Halimi's case has even drawn unexpected support from opposition party members. Federal Territory Pas Youth information chief Herman Samsudeen said in a statement: 'Enforcement officials are not criminals.

'They are supposed to be the heroes of the rakyat (people) and protect the country. But if they behave like criminals, where can the rakyat pin their hopes?'

This article was first published in The New Paper on Feb 1, 2009.