Zaid files petition to annul Hulu Selangor result

Defeated PKR candidate Datuk Zaid Ibrahim today filed an election petition to declare the Hulu Selangor by-election void, alleging bribery by rival Barisan Nasional.

The petition was filed at the Shah Alam High Court registry, under Section 32(a) and 32(c) of the Election Offences Act 1954.

The petition identified five instances of alleged corruption, including the allocation of RM3 million to SJK(C) Rasa and next-of-kin payments to Sungai Buaya Felda settlers in the run-up to the April 25 by-election.

Zaid lost by 1,725 votes to MIC public relations chief P. Kamalanathan, who recaptured the BN stronghold that was lost by 198 votes in Election 2008.

“As I said before, the actions of this country’s political leaders... have to follow the requirements of the law and this is the best chance for us to determine whether or not... a prime minister can make promises during an election campaign period,” Zaid said.

“The court will determine that question. That’s the purpose of this petition.”

He alleged that bribery also took place in Sibu after Hulu Selangor, and added that since the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is now investigating promises BN made in Sibu, it should also look into Hulu Selangor.

“Section 32(a) deals with general bribery, general treating or general intimidation in election. 32(c) deals with corrupt practice or illegal practice committed in connection with the election of a particular candidate,” said lawyer Malik Imtiaz Sarwar, who is representing Zaid.

“If the court finds that there has been such practice then the High Court can actually declare the election void, which would of course mean that there’s no candidate there.”

Malik Imtiaz said that the petition states that BN candidate and eventual winner, P. Kamalanathan, was aware of the alleged bribery.

“[He] knew that certain things were happening and, in effect, took benefit of those things that happened.”



comments

It'll be hopeless given that it's submitted to a Kangaroo Court.