'Will Perakians be denied choice of state gov’t?'

DAP Perak Economic Development Bureau chief Chong Zhemin today questioned if Perakians would once against be denied their choice of state government.

This is after the Election Court refused to commence trial on the Lubok Merbau state seat election petition despite the Federal Court’s order that the case be heard.

Chong pointed out as there was only a two-seat difference between BN and Pakatan Rakyat in the state assembly, the Lubok Merbau seat could be crucial in deciding the Perak state government.

“The number of spoilt votes in Lubok Merbau is 150. This is more than double the majority won by the BN candidate (72 votes),” Chong, who is also the political secretary to Taiping MP Nga Kor Ming (left), said in a statement.

“By denying the petitioner access to justice, the judge is also denying justice to the Lubok Merbau voters and largely to the Perakians,” he said, pointing to the fact that the Election Court has refused the petitioner’s lawyer from representing him and also refused the petitioner’s attempts to represent himself.

“With the injunction against another two BN representatives, namely Rungkup and Manong, the Lubok Merbau election petition is of great significance in deciding the state government.

“Will Perakians be denied another chance to their choice of government through a free and fair election?” he asked, pointing to the defection of several Pakatan assemblypersons which enabled BN to form a state government in 2009, triggering a constitutional crisis in the state.

“BN is currently holding a wafer thin two-seat majority in Perak and the state government is seriously under threat.

"It comes as no surprise that election petitions are silenced with the most preposterous and ridiculous of measures, and with this, even with the contempt of the highest court of the land,” he said.