CHEATING DOESN’T PAY – YET ZAHID SAYS IN THE NAME OF UMNO’S ‘DIGNITY’, MAT HASSAN TO DEFEND RANTAU SEAT

Former Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Mohamad Hasan will defend the Rantau state seat, said Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Taking to Twitter, he stated that the Election Court’s decision to hold a fresh election for the seat was expected.

“Umno will nominate Mohamad again. The BN machinery will be fully deployed.

“Despite the roadblocks and hitches, the Rantau seat must be defended. For the dignity and continuity of Umno/BN, let us strengthen our unity,” he added.

Ahmad Zahid Hamidi@Zahid_Hamidi

Keputusan mahkamah utk PRK DUN Rantau sudah dijangkakan. Umno akan mencalonkan semula DSU Mohamad Hassan. Jentera BN akan digerakkan sepenuhnya. Biarpun banyak kekangan & halangan, kerusi Rantau mesti dipertahankan. Demi maruah & kesinambungan mari UMNO/BN perkasa kesatupaduan.

Mohamad, who is also Umno deputy president, retained the seat uncontested in the last general election after PKR candidate Dr S Streram was not allowed to submit his nomination papers on April 28.

This morning, the Election Court in Seremban, which heard Streram’s challenge, ruled that the Rantau state seat is vacant and ordered a fresh contest.

Following the verdict, Mohamad said he would consult his lawyers on whether to appeal the decision within the stipulated 14-day period whereas Streram hoped that he would be fielded again.

In the 2013 general election, the former menteri besar won the seat with a 4,613 vote majority against PKR’s Aishah Lamsah. – MKINI

EC must wait 14 days before acting on Rantau re-election

The Election Commission must wait 14 days before it can act on the court ruling invalidating the Rantau state seat election.

EC chief Azhar Harun said this is because the court has withheld for 14 days the certificate ordering a re-election.

“We have to wait until that certificate is out before we can do anything. I presume it was withheld to give a chance to the parties to appeal the decision,” Azhar told Malaysiakini when contacted.

The Election Court in Seremban today ruled the Rantau state seat in Negeri Sembilan vacant.

This is on the grounds that there was no written law or requirement for a candidate and his seconder or proposer to have passed to enter the nomination centre.

Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan had retained the seat unopposed on May 9 after PKR’s Dr S Streram was prevented by returning officers from entering the nomination centre.

The courts have ruled the returning officer’s actions as unethical.

Mohamad has said that he will discuss with his lawyers on the next course of action.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Mohamad will be fielded to defend Rantau. – MKINI

MKINI