PN loses Kemaman: Court allows BN’s election petition

The Election Court has nullified Perikatan Nasional lawmaker Che Alias Hamid’s victory for the Kemaman parliamentary seat.

Kuala Terengganu High Court judge Anselm Charles Fernandis this afternoon allowed an election petition by voter Wan Mohamad Hisham Wan Abdul Jalil.

Che Alias' counsel Yusfarizal Yussof confirmed with Malaysiakini that the court allowed Wan Mohamad Hisham's petition.

In the event that PN does not file an apex court appeal within 14 days of today, the Election Commission (EC) will declare the parliamentary seat vacant, paving the way for a by-election.

When contacted, Che Alias' other counsel Wan Rohimi Wan Daud confirmed that the petitioner would be appealing to the apex court to quash today's verdict.

Previously on Feb 13, the Election Court struck out the petition when it allowed Che Alias’ (above, right) preliminary objection over the petition purportedly containing defective and invalid facts in support of bribery and corruption claims during the 15th general election.

However, on May 2, the Federal Court allowed Wan Mohamad Hisham’s appeal to reinstate the petition for full trial before the lower court.

When contacted, Wan Mohamad Hisham's counsel Amin Othman confirmed the court has voided PN's Kemaman electoral victory.

"The Election Court has made a decision today that Che Alias being elected as Kemaman MP during GE15 is void and invalid.

"Judge Fernandis had accepted the petitioner's claims in the election petition that there had been inducement (sogokan) at several official functions by the Terengganu state government via i-Belia and i-Siswa financial aid distributed to voters during the GE15 campaign period to secure votes for Che Alias.

"The court has ordered RM30,000 costs to be paid by the respondent (Che Alias) to the petitioner,” Amin said.

During GE15, Che Alias wrested Kemaman with a 27,179-vote majority, defeating BN candidate and former Terengganu menteri besar Ahmad Said, as well as Pakatan Harapan candidate Hasuni Sudin dan Pejuang candidate Rosli Ab Ghani.

Previously on June 27, the Election Court had also nullified PAS member Ahmad Amzad Hashim’s victory in the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary seat in GE15.

However, following an ensuing by-election, Ahmad Amzad defeated Harapan candidate Azan Ismail with a resounding 47,266-vote majority, securing 68,369 votes. Azan only garnered 21,103 votes.