PKR's Dr S Streram, who was unable to submit his nomination papers for the state seat of Rantau, has disputed inspector-general of police Muhamad Fuzi Harun's claim that the cops did not stop him from entering the nomination centre in Rembau.
"He is lying. The police pushed me down. They said they would handcuff me.
"There were about 20 police officers, they were holding my chest," he told a press conference in Seremban.
Streram was denied entry into the Rembau district office on grounds that he did not have an Election Commission (EC) pass with him.
Video footage showed Streram trying to get in while police formed a line to prevent him from doing so.
Fuzi had said police was merely responding to requests for help from election officials.
Streram denied forgetting to bring his pass, stating that it had not been issued to him.
The 62-year-old anaesthesiologist said he had paid the election deposit on Wednesday and got the nomination forms, but was not informed about the need for a pass.
Streram said he learnt about the requirement yesterday and had rushed to the Rembau district office to get the pass, but the office had closed.
He added that an election official present had told him that he could get the pass at the nomination centre on nomination day.
"So at 8am, I arrived at the nomination centre (to pick up my pass)... but they said I didn't have a permit to enter the nomination centre even though my nomination forms were complete," he said.
Streram (photo) said he then tried to get other people to submit his nomination form on his behalf, but they too were blocked by police from entering the nomination centre on grounds that they also did not have a pass.
He said during the negotiations, the an election official came out of the nomination centre and promised to resolve the problem but nothing happened.
As the nomination process approached the deadline, Streram said he and his seconder tried to ignore police to push into the nomination centre but were held back by cops.
According to Streram, the following is the chronology of events:
April 25, 2018 - Streram pays RM8,000 (RM5,000 deposit to contest and RM3,000 deposit for campaign material) to the EC to be a PKR candidate for the state seat of Rantau.
April 27, 2018
5pm - A friend informs Streram that he needs to collect the EC pass from the Rembau district office.
6.45pm - Streram goes to the Rembau district office but it was closed. An election official informs him that he can collect the pass at the nomination centre the next day.
April 28, 2018
8am - Streram arrives at the Rembau district office, which is also the nomination centre, but was refused entry as he did not have a pass.
9am - Unable to go in, Streram tries to hand in his nomination forms through intermediaries but they too were refused entry on grounds of not having a pass.
9.30am - Police still refuse to let Streram in, stating that they have not received instructions from the EC.
9.42am - Two election officials come out and assures Streram that the issue will be resolved and promised to come back.
9.45am - The election officials did not return and with only 15 minutes left, Streram tries to push into the nomination centre but was blocked by some 20 police officers.
10am - Nomination period ends.
Around 11am - Caretaker Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Mohamad Hassan is declared the sole candidate for the Rantau state seat and wins by default, as there are no other contenders.
Streram cited a similar situation at the Pandan nomination centre in Kuala Lumpur, where Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) Jenice Lee also did not have a pass but was allowed into the nomination centre.
"I will hold a press conference in Kuala Lumpur next week... and we will take the police, election officials and EC to court," he said.
Rantau is a state seat under the parliamentary seat of Rembau. -Mkini
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