Witness in Klias petition says he received envelope from PKR agent

(Bernama) – A voter in the Klias state constituency told the Election Court here today that he received an envelope, with his name written on it, from a Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) agent.

Saliman Salamat, 28, said the envelope, containing RM50 and a coupon, was given to him by an agent known as Wong Kui En @ Norliah, who went to his house with two other women at about 5pm on May 4 this year.

He said the three women went to his house a day before polling day for the 13th general election.

“I was with a friend, Amai, and brother-in-law, Wincent, talking outside the house in  Kampung Selagon, Beaufort, when I saw  Kairinah @ Irine Juakim and her two sisters, Norliah and Ruby approaching.

“Norliah then called for me and handed me an envelope with my name written on it. Norliah said to me that the RM50 and coupon were Datuk Lajim Ukin.

“She said if Datuk Lajim wins, the coupon can be exchanged for cash,” he added.

He was testifying before Judge Datuk Yew Jen Kee on the second day of hearing of the petition filed by Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Isnin Aliasnih to annul the 13the general election result for the Klias state seat.

Saliman said he opened the envelope in front of the three women.

“I know that many people had received the money and coupon distributed by the PKR people, not from the three women, because they have no permanent job,” he added.

Saliman, a self-employed, said Norliah and her sisters stayed in the same village as him and that the three women were PKR supporters.

In the petition, Isnin named Lajim, the State PKR chairman who won the Klias seat, as the first respondent, while returning officer for the Klias state seat Jupari @ Jupty Etok and the Election Commission (EC) as the second and third respondent, respectively.

However, on August 5, Yew ordered the EC and the returning officer for the Klias state seat to be removed as respondents on grounds that the petitioner had failed to comply with provisions under the Election offences Act.

Isnin filed the petition, claiming that there were alleged corruption and irregularities during the election campaign.

Isnin was represented by lawyers Jaapar Esteban, Rizuan M Borhan, Saiful Azian Mokhtar and Muamar Julkarnain, while Lajim was represented by lawyers Datuk Chau Chin Tang and Datuk Lawrence Thien.

In the May 5 general election, Lajim won the seat with a majority of 179 votes.