Sean Penn leads star blast of Wyclef's bid for president (Feature)

By Andy Goldberg Aug 6, 2010, 19:51 GMT

Los Angeles - Oscar-winning actor and Haiti activist Sean Penn is leading the growing criticism by top entertainment figures of rapper Wyclef Jean's bid to become president of Haiti.

Jean, 37, publicly declared his candidacy on Thursday for the November 28 elections - the first since the poverty-stricken country was hit by a devastating earthquake on January 12.

While Jean, who is best known as a member of the Fugees, has touted his candidacy as being supported by the country's youth, Penn told CNN that he was 'suspicious' of the support he is receiving from corporate interests.

'This is somebody who's going to receive an enormous amount of support from the United States, and I have to say I'm very suspicious of it, simply because he, as an ambassador at large, has been virtually silent. For those of us in Haiti, he has been a non-presence,' Penn told CNN.

Jean's candidacy was also criticized by his former bandmate and fellow Haitian Pras and Rapoper MC Out Loud.

Penn has been very active in Haiti since the earthquake, and highlighted allegations that the Jean mishandled some 400,000 dollars donated to his Yele Foundation and owed over 2 million dollars in US taxes.

'Right now, I worry that this is a campaign that is more about a vision of flying around the world talking to people, it's certainly not about the youth drafting him,' Penn said.

'I want to see someone who's really, really willing to sacrifice for their country and not just someone who I personally saw with a vulgar entourage of vehicles that demonstrated a wealth in Haiti that, in context, I felt, a very obscene demonstration,' Penn added.

Jean fought back against the allegations telling ABC News of his commitment to his country.

'I commend (Penn) for the work he is doing with the tent population, but I want him to understand one thing: Before speaking about any situation that has to do with Wyclef Jean in public, he might just want to pick up the phone and we could meet so he fully understands the man,' Jean said.

Pras pointedly issued a statement supporting a rival candidate for president.

'I endorse Michel Martell as the next president of Haiti because he is the most competent candidate for the job,' Pras said in a statement.

Rapper MC Out Loud who is involved in a legal dispute with Jean said Jean's pursuit of the Haitian presidency is 'not a good thing.'

Out Loud told celebrity website TMZ.com that he's concerned about Wyclef's jaunt into politics due to several allegedly shady dealings ... saying, 'We call him Wy-theft ... so many foul business moves.'

'There's nothing wrong with the move if he can help ... but when artists enter the political arena, it's not a good thing,' he said.

Jean has helped lead efforts to raise money for relief and rebuilding in Haiti since the impoverished country was shattered by a January 12 earthquake.

The Haitian-born Jean said that he had left Haiti aged 9 for the United States but had never sought US citizenship. His success as a musician represents 'the American dream - taking it back to Haiti.'

'It's a chance to rebuild from the bottom on up,' he said when announcing his candidacy.

Describing himself not as seeking the presidency, Jean said he was 'drafted by the youth of Haiti.'

Recalling Haiti's turbulent, 200-year history of instability, coups and dictatorship, he said that he would be 'coming in neutral' and could sit down with all factions in Haitian politics.

'When you vote for Wyclef Jean, you're voting for something new,' he said.