Election court nullifies PN’s GE15 victory in Kemaman

The court found that the payment of i-Belia and i-Siswa aid to voters during the campaign period constituted bribery.

(FMT) – The election court in Kuala Terengganu has nullified Perikatan Nasional’s victory in the Kemaman parliamentary seat in the 15th general election.

Election judge Anselm Charles Fernandis ruled in favour of the petitioner, Wan Hisham Wan Abdul Jalil, in his bid to unseat Che Alias Hamid of PAS.

The court ruled that Hisham had proven allegations of bribery by Che Alias beyond reasonable doubt.

Lawyer Amin Othman, appearing for Hisham, said the court found that the payment of i-Belia and i-Siswa aid to voters during the campaign period constituted bribery.

The court also ordered Che Alias to pay costs of RM30,000 to Hisham.

Che Alias defeated Barisan Nasional’s Ahmad Said, Pakatan Harapan’s Hasuni Sudin and Pejuang candidate Rosli Abd Ghani in a four-cornered fight in GE15.

He secured a 27,179-vote majority.

The election court in Kuala Terengganu had previously struck out the election petition brought by Hisham on grounds that it was defective.

However, the petition was reinstated by the Federal Court on the basis that there were issues which merited a full hearing.

The apex court also issued a direction that the case be heard by a different judge.