BN man unable to produce key witness in Masjid Tanah election case

 

Abdul Hakim Abdul Wahid (BN) is challenging the election victory of Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (PN) in the Melaka Tengah parliamentary seat.

MELAKA: An election petition to challenge the general election result for the Masjid Tanah parliamentary seat came to a close today when the petitioner, Barisan Nasional candidate Abdul Hakim Abdul Wahid, was unable to produce a key witness.

Hakim’s lawyer Rosfinah Rahmat said an arrest warrant was not served on Bersatu Youth permanent chairman Akmal Zahin Zainal Zahir despite multiple attempts by the police, the latest on Sept 11, Bernama reported.

“According to video evidence, Akmal was seen handing over the money and he is our important witness. As we could not execute the arrest warrant today, we have closed the case,” she told reporters after court proceedings here today.

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Election judge Abu Bakar Katar will hand down a decision on the petition on Oct 27.

The Masjid Tanah parliamentary seat was won by Mas Ermieyati Samsudin of Perikatan Nasional in the general election in November last year.

A petition to nullify the result was dimissied by the High Court in Melaka in February, with the petitioner ordered to pay RM20,000 costs. However, in May, the Federal Court ordered the election petition to be sent back for a full hearing of the merits of the case.

Mas Ermieyati’s lawyer, Faizi Che Abu, said the burden of calling witnesses lay on the petitioner, who had alleged that Akmal was involved in corrupt practices during the election campaign.

“According to the law, whoever makes the allegations must prove them. In this case, they have accused Akmal of (election bribery) and (Mas Ermieyati) of holding a banquet as a bribe. Therefore, (the petitioner) must prove that,” he said. - FMT