Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun has dismissed as “mischievous speculation” talk that Rafizi Ramli will contest in the Rantau by-election and replace him in the state’s top post.
Utusan Malaysia quoted Aminuddin as saying that the PKR vice-president had a “bigger role to play”, instead of being confined to a state.
“There is yet to be a court ruling on the Rantau by-election and there is so much speculation. It’s not that I love my position too much. I will give it up if the (PKR) leadership wants it.
“It’s just that I feel that talk of Rafizi being appointed as the Negeri Sembilan menteri besar is ‘mischievous’ because he is to have a bigger role, and not just lead a state,” Aminuddin told a press conference after chairing a state executive council meeting in Seremban today.
He was responding to rumours that Rafizi will be named as Pakatan Harapan’s candidate, should the court decide a by-election be held in Rantau following a petition filed by PKR candidate Dr S Streram over the 14th general election results.
The state seat was won uncontested by BN candidate Mohamad Hasan, who is also the former Negeri Sembilan menteri besar. Streram was barred from entering the nomination centre in Rembau on nomination day.
Should a by-election be called, Aminuddin said he had two or three suitable candidates in mind, who are also locals.
However, the final decision will be made by the PKR leadership, he stressed.
Aminuddin has just returned to work after undergoing bypass surgery on Oct 29.
Friday – Election court to decide on Umno deputy president’s seat
The Election Court in Seremban will deliver its verdict on former Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Mohamad Hassan’s Rantau state seat on Friday.
PKR candidate Dr S Streram had filed a challenge after he was not allowed to submit his nomination papers on April 28, resulting in Mohamad, who is also the Umno deputy president, to win the seat uncontested.
Justice Azimah Omar has brought forward the date after earlier setting Nov 20 to deliver the decision.
This was stated in a letter sent by High Court deputy registrar Siti Mazlifah Mokhtar to the parties yesterday.
A total of 19 witnesses testified in the 12-day trial.
This case and the one involving the Cameron Highlands seat are among the few election petitions which proceeded with the full hearing.
Streram’s lawyers Mohd Haniff Khatri Abdulla, Rafique Rashid Ali and Sreekant Pillai, in their written submissions, argued that their client had fulfilled all conditions as a candidate to contest in the general election.
They further told the court that it is not a mandatory requirement for their client to carry a pass to enter the nomination centre to file his papers.
“Evidence showed that Streram was outside the nomination centre before 9am. Under the election regulations, it is not a requirement for a candidate to possess a pass to enter the nomination centre. Hence, our client had fulfilled all conditions to contest,” said Rafique when contacted today.
He said returning officer Amino Agus Suyub, who was empowered to receive the deposits, and his agents knew Streram was outside but did not let him in.
The Election Commission, represented by lawyers from the law firm Shearn Delamore, claimed that their officers did not know Streram was outside.
However, according to Rafique, evidence and testimony from police witnesses, including the investigating officer, showed that they knew the PKR candidate was outside.
Mohamad’s lawyers meanwhile submitted that it was EC’s task to run and regulate the elections and their client should not be blamed for this.
During the trial, Justice Azimah also sentenced Amino Agus to three months’ jail for contempt of court after finding him guilty of sending text messages to a witness in order to coach him on how to answer questions.
This is up for an appeal at the Court of Appeal.
Earlier this month, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had said that the party was prepared for any eventuality of a by-election from the ruling of this case which involves his deputy.
Whatever the outcome, the decision can be referred directly to the Federal Court. In election petition cases, they have to be disposed within six months from the date of filing. – mkini
MKINI
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