DAP questions MB’s absence after court nullifies Cameron election results

M Manogaran. (Twitter pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: After getting a court declaration today to nullify the election victory of MIC’s C Sivarraajh in Cameron Highlands, M Manogaran, the DAP candidate who stood against him, questioned the absence of Pahang Menteri Besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail in court to defend himself against accusations of vote buying.

The court had heard that Wan Rosdy was involved in handing out cash to Orang Asli voters.

Manogaran said the MB’s failure to testify had adversely affected MIC’s case in the election petition.

“The judge had postponed the hearing three times for the Pahang menteri besar but he did not come to court.

“This petition also implicates him over his alleged role in handing out money to voters,” he said, following the High Court’s decision to nullify Sivarraajh’s victory in Cameron Highlands on May 9.

Manogaran was among five candidates who contested in Cameron Highlands, alongside candidates from PAS, PSM and Berjasa.

Manogaran said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) should take note of the evidence of vote buying produced in court.

In the judgment today, High Court judge Azizah Nawawi said Manogaran had proved his claim on vote buying beyond reasonable doubt.

“Money was given to voters either directly by Sivarraajh or indirectly through Wan Rosdy or their agent, and that the money was given to the voters to induce them to vote,” she said.

However, Azizah said she would not report anyone to the authorities, adding that Manogaran’s witnesses were not consistent on the identity of the person who had actually given the money. - FMT