Arrest warrant issued against no-show witness for Marang polls petition

 

The Election Court in Kuala Terengganu has issued an arrest warrant against state executive councillor Mohd Nor Hamzah who did not turn up today to resume testimony in the hearing of an election petition to nullify PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s victory in the Marang parliamentary constituency.

Counsel Amin Othman, who is acting for petitioner Jasmira Othman who was the BN candidate for the constituency during the 15th general election (GE15), said that judge Hassan Abdul Ghani issued the arrest warrant when Mohd Nor (above) did not show up for today’s proceedings.

Jasmira had subpoenaed Mohd Nor to give oral evidence in the election petition hearing.

“On March 14, the judge directed Mohd Nor to come back to court on March 16 to resume his testimony. However, on the morning of March 16 (today), Mohd Nor failed to turn up in court.

“Therefore, on the application of the petitioner’s counsel (Amin), the court issued a warrant of arrest against Mohd Nor.

“The hearing for the Marang election petition will resume on Sunday (March 19),” Amin told Malaysiakini.

Important matter

When contacted by Malaysiakini, counsel Yusfarizal Yusoff, who is acting for respondent Hadi, explained that Mohd Nor had initially applied to come later in the afternoon as the witness had an important matter to attend to.

He said that the election court, however, did not allow this and wanted the witness to come this morning, and the arrest warrant was issued when he did not show up.

“The court had issued the arrest warrant for Mohd Nor to continue giving his testimony on Sunday,” Yusfarizal said.

Terengganu’s off days are on Friday and Saturday, thus the courts in the state operate from Sunday to Thursday (in the absence of any other public holidays).

The media previously reported that the petition was filed on Jan 3 at the Kuala Terengganu High Court per the Election Offences Act 1954.

Terengganu Umno chief Ahmad Said reportedly said among the points raised in the petition were allegations that PAS had bribed voters by distributing financial aid from the state government - via the i-Pension, i-Belia and i-Student initiatives - between Nov 15 and 17, 2022 in the run-up to GE15.

During the national polls, Hadi retained his seat with a 41,729-vote majority, defeating the three other candidates - Jasmira, Azhar Ab Shukur (Pakatan Harapan) and Zarawi Sulong (Pejuang). - Mkini